This year is different. Diane Legg, my captain and inspirational leader of Team LungStrong, passed away in December after her 20 year battle against lung cancer and her crusade for research funding to improve treatments and outcomes for thousands of patients like her. Just six weeks earlier, my lifelong friend Marie Cadigan died from complications of the same disease. I miss them and their vibrant presence in my life.

So I committed to riding my 15th consecutive PMC to raise funds for cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and its research partners. My story is like many others who ride and volunteer for the PMC. We all have been impacted by cancer either personally or through the challenges of loved ones. As you may know, my mom lost her battle with cancer at 44 years of age when I was just 14. Her struggle over the last 16 years of her life had a profound impact on my family. I can’t help but think that if she was diagnosed with cancer today, her outcome would have been much better thanks to the advances made possible by the groundbreaking work done by the doctors and researchers supported by the PMC.

I ride for my mom, Marie, Diane, and those who have lost their battles, but I also ride for my brother and many others who are winning the fight. I carry all of their names with me on my bike’s crossbar. I am inspired by their courage.

100% of rider raised funds go to Dana Farber because of the generosity of corporate sponsors and the free labor of thousands of volunteers before and during the weekend. Because of you and everyone committed to the PMC, we are closer by the mile to a cure.