My friend,

It is coming down to the wire! T-4 weeks! For my 5th year in a row, on August 2nd I will be doing the 85-mile PMC ride from Wellesley to Bourne, MA. With memories of losing my dad, Gus (below), to cancer and our son Sam’s mother-in-law Eleanor (below) to non-smokers lung cancer, I am motivated to hop on the saddle and give it my all again with the Peregrine Pedalers. On the ride, I will also be thinking of one of my other brothers, TP (Ted), who lost his life to colorectal/ bone cancer, as well as aunts and uncles. I can’t help but think how lucky we are today to be the beneficiaries of decades and decades of cancer research!!

My dad would have loved to be part of PMC. He was 52 when I was born in 1951. I was 36 when he died. He’d be 126 years old if he were alive today…MY DAD!

The ride, whether one day or two, offers both physical and emotional challenges. Yes, there are hills (~2,600’ vertical climb) to get your heart rate up! But, it offers space to center and reflect on the gift of life, the pain of loss and a reminder of why we are here on earth. Please take a minute to watch the short video below summary of the 2024 ride. It might bring you to tears. Or, if you are so inclined, it might make you want to join me with the Peregrine Pedalers. I would love it…we would love it.

Last year, 2024, was especially momentous because the collective efforts of all riders led the PMC to surpass an astounding $1 billion in cumulative funding generated since 1980. With your support in 2024, the Peregrine Pedalers collectively raised more than $60,000 for non-smokers lung cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. We were a comparatively smaller group. To date, our team has raised more than $400,000, leading to the ability of Dr. Janne’s thoracic oncology lab (http://jannelab.org/) to attract the brightest minds, work with the most sophisticated equipment and advance treatments for this wicked disease. My contribution last year, thanks to your kindness, was more than $6,000. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your continued support.

This year, I've again committed to raising $4,000. Please consider helping me reach my 2025 goal and visit my fundraising page at: http://profile.pmc.org/JB0920. See Venmo and personal check options below. Thank you in advance for your generosity, love, support, and donation.

With deepest gratitude,

John, “Jock”

Please enjoy a few photo memories below.