In March of 2008, my Step Dad Bob, aka Bog, was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. He had started feeling ill in January. He and Mira had been training (long distance) to run a Marathon together in the summer. Mira had just run the NYC Marathon in the fall and she and Bog were planning to run the San Diego Rock and Roll in the summer, a race which Bob had completed a few years before.

We had known that Bog was going in for testing for what seemed to be an issue with his gall bladder. In early February of 2008, we found out we were pregnant with our third child. In mid-March, Bob found out he had Pancreatic Cancer. The Doctors gave him 3-6 months to live.

Taz, (our third), was born in mid-October of that year. Bob passed away in November after what most would consider a successful battle against his cancer. Although the chemo he underwent was debilitating, he lived a relatively comfortable 8 months. In his final weeks he took a ride in a hot air balloon, did some sightseeing, and enjoyed good meals with dear friends.

We miss him.

This summer, I will be riding the Pan-Mass Challenge in Bob's name for a eighth time. The first year I rode solo. My second year riding I joined Team Lick Cancer. This is my seventh year riding with the team.

The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is the nation's original fundraising bike-a-thon and today raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country. In 2009 and thereafter, the PMC donated 100% of every rider-raised dollar directly to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.

I will be riding the two day course from Sturbridge to Provincetown. The first day is a 112 mile ride, the second day - an easy 81 miles.

Bob loved to ride his bike. He loved to run. He loved to hike. He just generally had a love of life.

I am excited to be involved in an event that is raising money that will be used to fight a disease that has affected so many of us. Please help me meet our fundraising goal of $6000.

Thanks,

John

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