Summer is here and that means it’s time for the PMC again. This year will be my 20th ride, and it’s difficult for me to process that and keep perspective, but I will try. Those of you that have donated to me in the past, some of you for 20 years, I offer my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. I cannot put into words how much your support means to me. Thank you.

This year also marks the occasion where the PMC will pass the 1 billion dollar mark in total funds raised, so let’s focus on that for now. Every dollar each rider raises gets passed through to Dana Farber, which is so unheard of in fundraising that it bears repeating. 100 % of each rider raised donation goes directly to Dana Farber to fund cancer research and care.

To give a little backstory here, on how this all started and how I got involved, it goes something like this. 45 years ago, a young guy from Wellesley had recently lost his mother and aunt to cancer and was frustrated and upset. He decided to ride his bike across the state with a few friends to honor them and to raise money to fight the disease that had taken them. That ride grew. I joined the ride 21 years ago, again with some friends, to ride across the state and help the cause. Much like Billy Starr had no idea what he started on that first ride, I had no idea what this ride would eventually mean to me. Since I started also have lost my mother and aunt to cancer, as well as several close friends, it’s personal for me.

Over the years I have ridden I have mostly forgotten the difficulties of the individual rides, but I remember other things. I remember the smiles, the laughs and the tears, a lot of all of those each year, but mostly I chose to remember the hope. The hope is omnipresent with the knowledge that collectively we are making a difference. The money we have raised has supported research and new drug trials, cancer treatments have become more effective, and lives are being saved.

So once again I’m asking you for your support in doing the best we can do to fight cancer. Dana Farber is at the forefront of cancer research and treatment and much of that is funded by private donations. Please consider making a donation and check to see if your company matches.

Thank you,

Jeff D’Agostine

Each year I tape names of cancer patients, victims and survivors on my bike, to reflect on during the ride. Please let me know if you would like to add a name. (You can email me, or call or text me at 508-259-9015)