Last Friday, Henry spent the day at Children’s Hospital in Boston undergoing testing. It was a gorgeous, sunny day which made it even harder to be there. As many of you know, the cancerous tumor that invaded his spine caused paralysis in his left leg and some organs. Long after Henry’s cancer was successfully treated, the damage it caused continues. 

We were getting ready to leave when the exam room door opened and a doctor cautiously entered. We were convinced that she was about to deliver bad news. But then she introduced herself. Dr. Judy Estroff said she had been the doctor who conducted an MRI of Cath’s pregnant belly 19 years ago. Those images confirmed what the doctors had feared, that Henry - the yet to be born baby still in the womb - had cancer. There was a mad scramble to diagnose the tumor, create a treatment plan, and deliver him, all within 24 hours, so that Dana Farber’s youngest patient could begin his cancer journey.

Reliving Henry’s chaotic entry into the world with Dr. Estroff was a surreal moment. She said she’d never forgotten about Henry and when she saw his name on the day’s patient list, she was excited to see who he’d become. In that moment, we recognized how fragile life is, and how no one can battle cancer alone. 19 years, full circle.

It’s been a year! Henry graduated high school and is off to Wake Forest University in NC in the fall. In usual fashion, he squeezed every ounce of fun out of his senior year. He rowed in the Head of the Charles, snowboarded out west, played lacrosse, fished, biked, and worked as a physical therapy assistant. He spoke before Town Meeting and won full funding for the mountain bike park he proposed to the Town of Arlington. Best of all, Henry finished up school with an incredible group of friends who supported him, entertained him after his numerous surgeries, put up with his antics, and became close as brothers.

This year, Henry also lost one of his biggest cheerleaders, his Nana Christina Ray. She instilled him with quiet confidence, encouraged him to always shoot for the stars, to be kind and generous to others, and to dust himself off after a bump in the road and keep going. To look at Henry today is to see those qualities.

So in good old “stick with it” Nana fashion, on August 3-4th, Henry will ride his 4th PMC, along with Josh (15th) and younger brother Leo (2nd.) This year marks an incredible milestone for our small but mighty PMC team. Because of your generous support, we’ve cumulatively raised over ONE MILLION DOLLARS for Dana Farber. Every single penny of that one million has gone directly to cancer treatment and research. It’s also a milestone year for the PMC as the event hits a cumulative BILLION dollars.

We’re also excited to pair up with a pedal partner this year from Dana Farber’s Jimmy Fund. Paige is a vibrant, crafty six-year old from Maine who is battling high risk Neuroblastoma, the same cancer Henry had. Paige is also being treated by the same oncologist who treated Henry. We met Paige and her wonderful family at a Jimmy Fund event at Fenway. As a former pedal partner himself, Henry feels very humbled to be riding for Paige.

Meeting Paige and reconnecting with Dr. Estroff are also reminders that we are so fortunate to have a community of people who’ve invested their hearts and minds in finding a cure for cancer. As too many of you know, every patient’s cancer journey is unique yet similar; full of courage, struggle, victories, uncertainties, heartbreak and hope. That is why we are so grateful for your support. Because together we can discover new treatments and develop new cancer-fighting drugs, so that one day a cancer diagnosis will always be beatable.

Support me with the button on this page, or you make out a check to The PMC, and send it to me at:

Josh Fenollosa, 12 Benjamin Road Arlington MA 02476

(remember that 100% of your donation is tax deductible and our 3 Fenny riders will be sharing fundraising)

We ride the PMC for so many people. This year, especially for Heather Houin Mebane who battled gastric cancer with every ounce of her sass. She bravely tried any treatment and found humor when times were toughest. Heather leaves behind three young children.

And we’ll ride missing Stephanie - wife to teammate Mark, godmother to Leo, and our PMC mama bear. Steph also leaves behind three kids and massive, and beautiful, shoes to fill.

Henry is living proof of what your generous contributions can do. 19 years ago, doctor’s weren’t sure he’d ever walk. He’s sure proved us wrong.

With love and gratitude,

xoxo
Cath, Josh, Henry, Leo and Ruby Fenollosa