In April, 2023, I lost my dad to Stage IV Esophageal Cancer and have made a commitment to continue the good work he started (through his participation in countless research studies) by being a part of the incredible Team Perry for the PMC 2023. His journey, which included almost 3 years of countless treatments, doctors appointments, relentless determination, and giving it everything he had is one to truly be admired. Upon learning of his diagnosis back in 2020, there was only one option: we beat this. That ‘can do’ attitude never wavered in spite of a recurrence in the summer of 2022 and again in January, 2023. In spite of numerous setbacks, he continued fighting each and every day, resulting in him being nicknamed the ‘Rocky’ (Balboa) of our family. Although he ultimately lost this battle, I was and am incredibly fortunate to call the best person I have ever met ‘dad’ and will continue fighting for a cure in his honor. This one’s for you, dad.
2024 Update:
It's hard to believe that April marked one year since my dad's passing, with each day presenting its own challenges, including the disbelief that he's truly gone. While the passage of time has resulted in memories of treatments, surgeries, and hospital stays no longer being top of mind 24/7/365 (and instead being replaced with pre-diagnosis memories), it doesn't lessen the destruction cancer leaves behind and certainly doesn't reduce the need to FINALLY cure this disease. Esophageal cancer continues to have one of the lowest 5-year survival rates and in spite of receiving this diagnosis, his relentless fight is inspiring and will never be forgotten. I will continue the fight for a cure in my dad's honor, and we WILL find a cure for this unrelenting disease.
2025 Update:
For many, many years, 2025 was going to be THE year: the year my dad hit 45 years at the same company and the year he FINALLY retired after a life filled with a lot of long hours and hard work. Unfortunately, cancer took both of those opportunities (among so many other things) away from him.
As the years pass, my mom and I are working to ensure that the mark he left on the world continues to grow. In honor of my dad, it has become a mission to be part of the effort to eliminate the suffering that goes along with an Esophageal Cancer diagnosis. PMC and the Dana Farber half marathon have very much become a part of that effort, and in many ways, have provided a community to help fill the huge void he left.
Over the last 2 years, the knowledge of how much work STILL needs to be done to eliminate cancer has very much grown, and has been a large contributor to my continued involvement in the PMC and Dana Farber.
Finally, a note to my dad: forever and always trying to make you proud, and continuing the fight in your name. You were the best person the world could’ve ever asked for, and we miss you every single day. I promise to ensure your fight against this disease wasn’t in vain, and help in any way I can to find a cure.
As a commitment to continue his legacy, I am once again volunteering and fundraising for PMC in 2025. Dana Farber has been responsible for more than 50% of oncology FDA approvals in the last 5 years, something that wouldn’t be possible without the generous donations to the PMC, which totaled $75 million (hitting the $1 BILLION fundraising milestone) in 2024.
Please consider supporting the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Team Perry’s mission by donating. 100% of donations will be directed towards research for Gastrointestinal Cancers.
I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure.
