As we continue to slog through the pandemic, raising money for non-profits like the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is as important -- if not more important -- than it ever was. Riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge year after year is one small way I can do my part to find a cure for cancer, once and for all. This August, I will ride in my sixth PMC (counting 2020, the reimagined version).
In 2019, I rode to honor the memory of Nicole Cingiser, a friend I met back in 1976, when she and her family first came to Camp Wah-nee, a sleep-away camp in the Berkshires, where we all spent many wonderful summers (and where her older sister, Karen, became one of my BFFs). Nikki was passionate about the causes she supported, including volunteering for several years at the Hole in the Wall Gang, a camp founded by Paul Newman for children with serious illnesses, and marching for women and the rights of families. She was also devoted to the students she taught and staff she worked alongside at the Children's School in Stamford, CT. Up until her death, she had been a generous supporter of my PMC ride. Unfortunately, Nikki lost her battle with breast cancer in November 2018. Going forward, every time I am fortunate to have the opportunity to experience musical theater, a passion that we both shared, but which she pursued at maximum velocity, I will think of my friend, Nikki, as well as during my training and PMC 2021 ride.
In 2021, I will ride for Nikki and in the memory of so many others, a list that has, unfortunately, grown since 2016, when I started this journey: my grandmother, Min Deutchman; my law partner, Paul Gulielmetti; my colleague, Cynthia Rubin; my college friend, Adam Grudberg; my high school friend, Tricia Grimes, uncles Philip Ranheim and Hywel Madoc-Jones, and my dear cousin, Ellen Gelbard. In late 2019, we lost another beloved Wah-nee alum, Ira Levine, with whom I was fortunate to reconnect about 20 years ago. I will ride in Ira's memory as well. And in 2020, we lost a dear friend of Nikki's and her family, Ellen Katz. I am riding for Ellen too.
And I will ride to honor the bravery of Easton Troitsky, the seven-year-old son of my good friend, Sue Kuester. I also ride to honor Nick, the pedal partner of my PMC team, Brooklyn Love.
Finally, I am riding to honor the battle that too many of my friends and family members have fought -- or are continuing to fight -- against cancer.
After an unusual reimagined PMC in 2020 (as was most everything in 2020!), I look forward to riding alongside my fabulous Brooklyn Love teammates (http://profile.pmc.org/TB0223) this year, each of whom, individually, inspires me in his or her own way and makes it so that I look forward to training every year. When we ride in 2021, we will ride together. In 2019, our team, collectively, raised over $73,000! Hopefully, this year, we can do better.
No donation is too small. Thank you so much for your consideration.
Jennifer
