The Eight reasons Why I ride the PMC:

#1 This is Personal

In 2009 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Early diagnosis gave me time to review my options.  In February 2014 I had successful surgery and I am cancer free today.

I am lucky, I give thanks and I ride to give back.

#2 In Tribute

I ask those who donate to my ride to provide “Tributes”.  The names of loved ones passed or fighting the disease or in remission.  I carry these names as “Tribute Flags” on my ride jerseys. Last count there are around 200 names in tribute. The flags are the wind at my back.

#3 In Honor of our Pedal Partners.

My PMC team the FLAMES (Fast Legs and Minds Ending Suffering) rides for a PMC “Pedal Partner,” a young cancer patient being treated through the amazing work of the Jimmy Fund.

Our pedal partners and their families become extended members of team FLAMES. We ride to their house and chalk art the driveway with well wishes. They attend some team events and participate on the route during PMC weekend. Pedal Partner families report feeling “no longer alone”. The energy of hope, faith and courage cuts both ways. We are inspired to support them in their fight both emotionally and through our tenacious fund raising.  

Zoey will be eight years old in June and is our 2024 Pedal Partner. Zoey has been battling T-ALL Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia for the past two years treated a Dana Farber/Boston Children’s in the Jimmy Fund Clinic. Her aggressive two year treatment protocol ended in md May. Zoey lives in Londonderry, NH, with her parents (Dawn and John) and her 3-year-old sister Addison whio knows here as her sister, who always gets medicine.

Zoey, is a BIG fan of rainbows, unicorns and mermaids and has a Bernadoodle named Koa. Her favorite color is pink, and she also loves rainbows and tie-dye. 

Zoey and her family can’t wait for what they pray is the end of treatment soon to happen. These past two years have been incredibly grueling for this young family. 

Our Pedal Partner becomes part of our work and cause. We love our pedal partners, pray for them, laugh and cry with them and raise money to help the programs that support them.

Zoey and her sister Addison, our 2024 Pedal Partner

#4 In Honor of team FLAMES survivors and our team Doctors and Nurses.

Team FLAMES has more than 30 riders who have been touched by cancer personally and are dedicated to doing something about it. Sixteen doctors and nurses from Dana Farber are part of our team. Their energy and dedication is amazing. The FLAMES burn for life.

#5 I believe in Dana Farber research. It makes the difference.

There is real reason for hope and even confidence that we will continue to cure more cancers. The chances for survival and cure go up every year. Doctors find new solutions and treatments improve every year. There are now several members of team FLAMES who have seen their cancers driven into remission by treatments that were developed through team FLAMES funding.

PMC funding is a big part of the solution. An example: Dana Farber runs the genome sequence of every cancer that comes in the door and is building a database that links every cancer’s genome to the course of treatment. The potential of pattern recognition to improve treatments and finding cures is enormous. The several million dollars per year this initiative requires is funded directly by PMC donations. 

In May 2023 the FLAMES met with the docs leading the research the team funds. YouTube (link below) captures the three lead research doctors in Leukemia and Lymphoma, Dave Fisher (7:30), David DeAngelo (11:02) and Matt Davids (15:45) and discussion of the work and how it is progressing.   This video also has the very moving story of “Mark” (21:32) a patient and his story of treatment.

2023 Dana Farber Docs and Patients Talk about What PMC Funds Do

#6 Dana Farber Research has a global multiplier effect. 

Dana Farber research is published and shared all around the world and Dana Farber specialists consult across the globe. So the patients treated physically at Dana Farber are a small fraction of the total impact of this amazing research center. As they say at Dana Farber, “What we do here changes lives everywhere”. I am asking you to contribute with me to an organization that has impact across the globe, not just in Boston and New England

#7 Every cent of your donation goes to the Research.

The costs of running the PMC event and organization are paid by the riders and sponsors and not from your donation.

#8 Each Year we commit with our own donation.  We are all in for PMC

I won’t ask you to do something I don’t do myself.

For all of these reasons, my wife Ellen and I are all in. We make a four figure donation to PMC each year. We also make donations to support new and young riders and watch with excitement as they become part of the PMC.

Whether you donate or not, will you be a part of my PMC Community?

I want to share the PMC with you because it’s a great thing. But I know that not everyone can donate to every worthwhile cause. If you can’t donate to my ride for any reason, I understand and I hope you will still consider yourself part of my PMC community.

If you would prefer not to hear from me, please let me know and I’ll take you off my list.

Thank you for your support.

John Lees