Dear Friend,

I hope this letter finds you well. I also hope that you and your family are remaining healthy and safe amidst this worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. In January, as I have for the past 21 years, I registered for the PMC ride and began my winter training routine, all while looking forward to the warmer weather and longer days. Unfortunately, in March that all changed when the pandemic changed all our lives. Thankfully for me, the inconveniences that have come as a result of this pandemic have been minimal as we slowly transition back to normalcy – and I hope you can say the same. The PMC has also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with the ride not cancelled, but rather, “reimagined” as a virtual ride. On August 1, I will be participating in the “Reimagined PMC”, with 100% of every rider-raised dollar donated directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2019, the PMC gave a record gift of $63 million to Dana-Farber, bringing the PMC’s 40-year contribution to more than $717 million since its inception in 1980.

I have been motivated to ride the PMC in memory and honor of those friends and loved ones who have been afflicted by cancer. COVID-19 has affected most every facet of life as we understood it - everything except cancer that is. Cancer still afflicts almost 2 million Americans annually and approximately 1/3 of them will die from this horrific disease. While I’m not educated or trained to discover a treatment, I do know I’m blessed with the strength to pedal my bike to raise funds for cancer care and research, as well as possessing the commitment and perseverance to continue this effort until this horrible disease is eradicated.

As the years go by, the success rates rise and the death rates fall, evidence of our collective effort to get Closer By the Mile, a result of the $717 million the PMC has raised since its inception. With that said, the success rates remain far from 100%. While I understand the COVID-19 pandemic has created economic challenges for many, if you are able, I invite you to join the effort with a donation. The following link http://www2.pmc.org/profile/JO0033 will take you to my PMC profile page where you can make your tax-deductible donation (Tax ID: 04-2746912) with 100% of your donation going to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. If you prefer to write a check, please make it out to the PMC, The Jimmy Fund or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and mail it to me directly at:

John O'Rourke

P.O. Box 636

Baltic, CT 06330

If your employer has a matching gift program, ask your Human Resources department for a form, and follow the process for matches. For all of you that have supported me in past years, thank you and I hope you are still in a position to support the PMC once again this year. For those that are choosing to join the fight for the first time, I thank you as well.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or assistance that you may need in supporting this effort. Best wishes for continued health and prosperity in the months ahead.

Most appreciatively,

John O'Rourke

Please consider becoming a platelet donor, see LINK for FAQ’s.