I was 23 when I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I was shocked but I went through the surgery and treatments and beat the disease. I was young and although it was a serious situation I didn't fully appreciate the devastating nature of the disease until my mom, Diane Mauro, was diagnosed with cancer just months after taking care of me through my ordeal. My mom had late stage breast cancer and lost her fight in July of 1995 just five months after her diagnosis. It was a very difficult time for myself, my dad and my two younger siblings. Cancer left a mark on my family and, not surprisingly, changed my perspective in a lot of ways. I wasn't bitter or angry but had lots of questions.

I still don't have the answers but know there is a lot that we can do to help fight this killer. I guess my big realization through all of this is that there is little you can control in your environment but the things you can control should be aimed at making a difference. Whether it's to lead a healthier lifestyle or help raise money for ongoing research in the battle of cancer you can make a difference! Thirty years later (I guess that dates myself) I have 2 beautiful kids and am cancer free. I feel pretty lucky to be able to participate in this event as “Living Proof”

This will be my 17th year riding in the PMC and my wife, Dana, and I will be riding for our friend Carrie Regan. Carrie is one of my wife’s college besties. She and her husband Tim live in Maine with their 13y old daughter, Dakota. Carrie was diagnosed in September 2023 with an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma. Its rapid growth and location in the brain make treatment incredibly challenging.

Needless to say this was a massive gut punch for Carrie’s family and friends. She is staring down this killer with unflappable courage and strength and will be cheering us along in August. The fight against cancer is not just about medical treatments; it's about rallying together as a community to provide unwavering support. And the community that has rallied to support her and her family is a testament to the amazing person she is. She is a fighter and this year she is my inspiration to get in the saddle and peddle for a cure.

I am not only participating in the PMC to honor those who are currently faced with cancer, but to also celebrate the lives and memories of those who have been taken by this disease.

In loving memory of Diane Mauro