On August 3rd, I will be joining over 6,000 cyclists as I participate in my second Pan-Mass Challenge. Since the inaugural ride in 1980, PMC riders have raised over $900 million to support cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and this is the year we hope to break $1 billion.

My story is luckier than most. In December 2021, at my 36-week ultrasound appointment and 3 weeks before the birth of my daughter, Ainsley, a mass was discovered on her adrenal gland. What was meant to be a time of excited preparations for a new baby turned into fear of what the future held. Immediately following her birth, we began consulting with the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana Farber and their neuroblastoma team on an action plan. While the adrenal mass is likely a neuroblastoma, we have been incredibly fortunate that it started to shrink on its own without the need for invasive treatments. What started as weekly appointments has turned into bi-weekly appointments then monthly then quarterly and now bi-annually. With the team at the Jimmy Fund Clinic, we continue to monitor the mass until it disappears for good. Following her most recent check-up, we were just informed on 6/25/24 that there is NO MEASURABLE MASS on Ainsley's adrenal gland!!!

My family and I have experienced firsthand the tremendous knowledge and experience of the doctors and clinical staff at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute which is largely due to their incredible research engine and donations from events like the PMC. Not only am I riding for Ainsley, but for all the children we see at the Jimmy Fund Clinic undergoing treatment, their families putting on their strongest faces, and the doctors and clinical teams giving their all to find a cure to these terrible cancers.

This year I am thrilled to be riding for TeamBrent. While overall PMC funds go towards fighting cancer in general at the Dana Farber, TeamBrent’s monies are targeted towards fighting neuroblastoma. We partner with Dr.Lisa Diller MD, clinical director and chief medical officer of Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Suzanne Shusterman, Institute Physician and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School to allocate our donations most effectively. Dr. Shusterman has been Ainsley's doctor and I am thrilled to be able to directly support her team and their research.

My route will be an 85 mile ride from Wellesley to the Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne, MA. While I'm sure my 3 wonderful children aged 5 years and younger will allow me tons of time to train, I look forward huffing and puffing in the back and praying that the entire ride is downhill. That being said, the proceeds are far more important than my lack of ability to properly train for this.

I am proud to be riding and raising money for Dana-Farber and the incredible individuals working to eradicate cancer. 100% of the money raised goes directly toward Dana-Farber's search for a cure for cancer and the funds raised from the PMC make up more than 60% of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue. If you are able, I and the entire Dana Farber Cancer Institute would greatly appreciate any donations.

With love and gratitude,

Jessica