Most of you know that I've been raising money and awareness for lung cancer research since my mom died from this disease in December of 2007. When I learned how woefully underfunded lung cancer is and how it takes more lives than the five other major cancers COMBINED (and kills twice as many women as breast cancer), I had to do something.

Many of you know that the spark of determination I had was fueled - and continuously inspired - by a woman I met just a few months after my mom died.

In the spring of 2008, I attended a conference in Chicago for lung cancer patients and caregivers. On the flight home, I met Diane Legg, an incredible woman with an incredible story who was about to live 16 more years with Stage IV lung cancer – and do so many incredible things in the process.

After we met, I followed Diane's lead organizing the Shine a Light on Lung Cancer events at the Prudential Tower, where we turned the Pru Blue (the first time that building in Boston had used multi-colored lights as a beacon of hope for a cause) joined by local celebrities (and one time, Gronk!

I followed her to Washington DC where we spoke with senators and congresspeople about supporting the Lung Cancer Mortality Reduction Act - and eventually, we got some powerful legislation passed.

She followed my lead when I started the lung cancer marathon team, Team Lung Love, and she ran several half marathons, all with Stage IV lung cancer.

She founded LungStrong, which has raised millions of dollars for lung cancer since 2011 through the PMC, an annual gala and 5K.

She was only 41 when she was diagnosed (an incidental finding after pulling her back while picking her youngest up from his crib). She never smoked, and she didn't think she'd see her kids graduate elementary school. In the 20 years since her diagnosis, she watched two graduate college, and the third, that baby, is graduating this year.

Last December, we lost Diane. She fought as hard as any human could fight, but at the end of the day, the research had reached the end of the road. There were no other options.

The silver lining, of course, is that there WERE other options. Options that she, my friend Linnea, and my friend Diedre were all able to take advantage of to extend their lives. Options that my mom, who died three months after her diagnosis, did not have.

Now more than ever, we need more options. The money raised by my fundraiser goes DIRECTLY to fund lung cancer research at Dana Farber. It doesn't sit in a fund or partially cover the cost of the event. It goes as they say, right to the bench, where the scientists can do their work finding better treatments, and a cure.

At a time when research funding is being decimated by our federal government (which covers the bulk of all cancer research), risking so many lives of current and future cancer patients, your donation is needed more than ever.

I'll be riding close to 200 miles from Wellesley to Provincetown on August 2nd and 3rd.

I would be so grateful if you could support my ride! For, but in memory of the incredible, fierce, beyond inspirational Diane Legg.