This year Sophie, Bill and I are riding in the Pan Mass Challenge in support of Lauren Bauer on the Sarcoma Sucks team. Lauren has been an incredibly special part of our lives for over twenty years. Lauren and her sisters were the best babysitters we could imagine, and Lauren especially went above and beyond. As a high-schooler, she learned how to take care of Nina and her diabetes. Lauren even had her entire swim team join our JDRF walks each year. Additionally, she came with us when I worked in Nantucket, and she took care of not only our children, but our dogs, as well. And she did it with more patience and humor than I did! She even taught all our kids (and most of the neighborhood) to swim in her parents’ pool.

I was not surprised when Lauren became a Special Education teacher. While working in Boston in 2017 she was diagnosed with MPNST (malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor). Her cancer involves surgeries (to date, she has had seven major ones), radiation, and countless rounds of chemotherapy. As a babysitter, Lauren was kind, fun, and creative. As a battler, her resilience and bravery overwhelm me.

Lauren’s sister, Kristen, has started a team, “Sarcoma Sucks, and many thousands of riders will participate in this year's Dana Farber annual fund-raising effort, the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC). Founded in 1980, the Pan Mass Challenge is an annual bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country. One hundred percent of every rider-raised dollar goes to Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Due to the pandemic, the PMC riders will be riding on their own, but with no less commitment, passion and dedication to the cause. Team Sarcoma Sucks will be completing socially distanced rides totaling over 100 miles in honor of Lauren. Any donation, big or small, makes a difference. Thank you in advance for joining and supporting us to raise money and win this battle for Lauren.

With love,

Jen, Bill and Sophie Pennoyer

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