My journey with the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) continues in 2024 again with Team Velominati. Last year, due to a broken wrist (I lost the battle with a construction zone) I rode virtually, but this year I'll be back to do the in-person 112 mile Sturbridge to Bourne one-day ride. I'm proud to say Team Velominati ended up raising over $550,000 in 2023 for cancer research. I look forward to another PMC this year and reuniting with my teammates...and meeting new ones!
I started my journey in 2011 going 84 miles from Wellesley to Bourne, MA with team Jaunt for Jake, in honor of Mark Jacobson, a dear friend and business associate. We had @ 25 on our team and had a memorable time, consummating with a picnic with Mark and his family at the finish in Bourne. I had done many charitable events over the years (mostly running), but never before had I experienced something like the PMC. Sadly, Mark lost his battle with cancer in May of 2012 and that August we rode in his memory. Since then, I have had the privilege to ride in ten more PMC rides and TV has raised well over $1 million for cancer research.
Each year, I ride in memory and in honor of many who have faced the reality of cancer. The following are some special people in my life that will be helping me push the peddles this year (most are in the photos below)
In Memory of:
• My mother, Dorothy, who we lost in June of 1972 much too early at age 41; my aunt Norma, who we lost in 1982; my aunt Marilyn and my second cousin Ryan Spencer, who lost his battle with Leukemia at only age 7
• My sister, Judy, who we lost to cancer in July of 2018
• Peggy Cullen, our very close friend we just lost April 28, 2020 after a long battle with cancer
• John Kowal, a business associate and close friend who just lost his battle with cancer on July 8th, 2020. I met John in the 80's and he was a packaging and automation marketing visionary
• Gary Grieger, brother of our dear friend, Cherie Grieger Boeckel. Gary fought his battle with cancer for over 20 years until April 4th, 2020
• David Harvey, a friend and business partner who we lost to cancer in 2010
• Mark Garvey, a friend and business associate (and Mark Jacobson’s closest friend), who we lost to cancer in 2006
• Debbie Osborne, wife of Steve Osborne, our PMMI colleague. Deb lost her battle in 2006
• Relative Eileen Keough, who we lost to cancer in September of 2017
• David Webster, a friend we lost in June of 2018
• Tom Jackson, my good friend and long-time financial advisor, who we lost in October 2018
• Bob Risley, a friend and former PMMI Chairmen we lost in January 2019
• Mike Bryant, a friend we lost in April 2019
• Jim Butschli, our PMMI Media Group colleague who we lost in May 2019
• Bethany Richmond, daughter of Mike Richmond, a longtime packaging business associate
• Mark Sparky Ewing, a friend for many years from the packaging business who bravely battled cancer from 2016 and we sadly lost in January 2021.
• Jim Feeney, former North American president of Windmoeller & Holscher and former PMMI and Flexible Packaging Association Chairperson... a wonderful person who lost his battle with cancer in July 2021
- Doug Kennedy, a college friend (Ohio Wesleyan University, '77) who was battling a very rare form of Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). After his diagnosis in May, 2021, Doug sadly passed away only 85 days later - on August 14th, 2021 only a week after the PMC.
- Emma Finke, who passed away in February of 2018 at just over one year old of a rare form of pediatric brain cancer called Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT)
- Chris Calabrese, who just passed away early May, 2024 of pancreatic cancer. Chris was with Fallas Automation in Waco, TX for 22 years - a gem of a person gone too soon.
• Finally, I always think of Jimmy Fowkes, an inspiration to me and all that knew him. Jimmy was diagnosed at age 13 with brain cancer and, at age 22, tragically lost his battle in February of 2014. Jimmy faced his illness with courage and lived life to the fullest every day. He was active in the Livestrong foundation. To this day, his Mother, Margo, continues her research to help families affected by loss of a loved one and she launched a site, https://findyourharbor.com/ - I encourage you to visit.
In Honor of these who are living proof or going through their personal battle with cancer:
• Erin Blinn-Curran, my niece; Erin's mom, Joan Blinn; My cousin Barb Spencer; our good friend, Steve Speyer; Shane Bryant (son of MIke); Brad Kramer, husband of one of my colleagues; and my former PMMI colleagues Pat Reynolds and Shana Marais; Bill Kinross, a long time fellow publishing friend; Timm Johnson of Spee-Dee Packaging; And most recently, Amber Miller, a colleague of mine who was diagnosed with cancer early last year and now continues aggressive - and promising - treatment; Bill Carley, a friend through business I've known for many years, who is so far keeping his cancer in check and recently "rang the bell"! ! And wanted to acknowledge two of my Team Velominati teammates who are battling cancer, Scott Logie and Doug Pearl. Most recently, I'll be thinking of my friend Juliette Prakken, who just rang the bell after a challenging six-month chemo treatment program, but is doing well! All are living proof that cancer can be beat and that cancer research will make the difference going forward! My prayers continue for them and all who are facing the reality of this terrible disease.
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE and I truly appreciate whatever you can do to support my PMC ride in 2024...thank you from the bottom of my heart as we get #closerbythemile. Click on the donation buttons above or connect here
Joe
