This year's Pan-Mass Challenge ride is Saturday and Sunday, August 3rd and 4th. Funds raised through the PMC support the efforts of the world-class doctors and researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the entire country, generates half of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue, and it is Dana-Farber’s single largest contributor. 100% of rider-raised funds will go directly to the Jimmy Fund at Dana Farber.

I am riding in the 2024 PMC - my 14th! - in memory of my friend and former boss, Wendy Schnipper Clayton. Wendy served as the General Counsel of DDJ Capital Management. She hired me to work for her in the DDJ legal department in 2003. During the nearly eight years that I knew Wendy, she waged an on-again off-again battle against ovarian cancer. Her desire to live life to the fullest, even in the face of great hardship, was truly inspirational to me and countless others. She is deeply missed by many, and I am honored to ride in her memory.

In addition to Wendy, I know so many people who have been directly or indirectly affected by the disease, including:

* my former colleague at DDJ & now Polen Capital Credit, Chris, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer (and has now experienced a 100% recovery :);

* family members;

· * a close friend whose older sister was diagnosed with cancer in the fluid lining her brain just four days before the 2014 PMC (tragically, she passed away prior to the ride);

· * three former ultimate frisbee teammates (each in their early 20s when they contracted the disease, and each presently doing well with the cancer in remission or cured); and

· * other high school, college and post-college friends (and, in a couple of cases, sadly their very young children).

The disease, as we know, is far reaching, and I will be riding in tribute to or in memory of each of them.

I know that my story is not unique; so many of us (if not every one of us!) have been touched by those battling this disease. That’s why the work at Dana Farber is so important and why I’m proud to be participating in the Pan Mass Challenge this year. The great news is that their efforts are paying off! From the increasing survival rates of breast and pediatric cancer patients to the declining incidence rates of lung cancer, we are now seeing evidence of their hard work.

Thank you to those who have generously supported me in years past; I know that there are a lot of great causes out there that are worthy of support. I hope that you will consider a contribution this year as well. Every dollar brings us closer by the mile to finding a cure.