Hi everyone,

I hope you are all well. I’m writing to you today in advance of my ride in the 2024 Pan-Mass Challenge, an annual bike ride across Massachusetts that raises money for research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston. Decades ago, I ran the Boston Marathon for Dana Farber, but I started participating in the Pan Mass Challenge when Candice was diagnosed with cancer... so this will be my ninth year in a row being involved in the PMC.

This year, I am determined to raise as much money as possible to fight cancer and to help PMC eclipe the $1 Billion raised mark! Thanks to many of you, we've been able to raise just over $80,000 together over my first 8 years. Covid has really hurt fundraising in recent years, but cancer has not stopped, so I'm determined to get back to heavy hitter status (awarded to the top fundraisers). I've set a personal goal of raising $15,000 dollars this year.

As you probably know, the PMC cause is one that is very close to my heart for a number of reasons. My wife, Candice, was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2016 and received daily treatment at Dana Farber for a number of months. She continues to be seen there and we have been blown away not only by the level of medical care and attention she has received, but also by the phenomenal resources and support systems they provide for children and the thousands of other patients whose paths we cross each time we go in. So I speak from first hand experience about the amazing people and medical advances at DFCI. Dana Farber means a great deal to my family: Both my father (leukemia) and my mother (breast cancer) have been patients there, and I am seen (for melanoma follow up) at DFCI/Brigham as well. Finally, my sister works at Dana Farber as the Assistant Vice President of Donor Relations... so you can see it is an important place in our lives.

I will be riding once again as a team member of Team Daisy/Summit Partners, which has raised more than $5 million dollars through the PMC in recent years. My connection with Team Daisy came about through my friendship with the Trustey family, whose girls Caroline ('13), Anna ('16), and Claire ('19) were students at Brooks. The Trusteys have been long time Team Daisy members and supporters: I am proud and honored to try to follow the incredible example of Joe (a legendary member of Team Daisy) and Kris Trustey and their wonderful family. They have made such a huge difference for so many people over the years and their family continues to have a profound and positive impact on me and on my own family.

While I am not someone who often reaches out like this, with so many personal connections to this effort, I have no shortage of inspiration and I am fully committed to raising as much money as I can for the DFCI. Many of you have donated to this effort in the past.. and for that you have my sincere appreciation and gratitude. If this isn't the right year for you or if you are supporting someone else, please don't feel like you have to do this. I never want anyone to feel pressure. But I did want to reach out to my network of friends and supporters to let you all know I'd be riding the PMC again this year.

Thank you for considering a donation to this very, very worthy cause. I really appreciate everyone’s support and look forward to my ride on August 3rd and 4th!

Gratefully,

John