Thanks Dear Friends and Family,

This August, I will be riding in my 10th Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), which this year, will be a "Reimangined PMC." The PMC raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DCFI) through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The PMC is the largest single athletic charity event in the country. My team, Team Kermit, rides specifically for children with DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma). DIPG is an inoperable, high-grade brain tumor which grows in the middle of the brain stem, entrenching itself beyond the reach of conventional treatments, taking the child's vision, hearing and motor functions but never their awareness of what is happening to them. The daughter of one of my teammates has this terrible disease and we ride to raise money for DIPG research at DCFI.

In addition, I ride for family and friends who have been touched by other forms of cancer. Although we are raising more money than ever for cancer research, cancer is on the rise. It is inevitable that someone close to you will be touched by cancer. More funds are needed to target specific cancer research. I hope that you will support my ride this year.

Thanks,

Jim