I’ll be honest: Riding a bike for 79 miles in a single day intimidates me—big time. I only really got into cycling in 2020, when I was desperate for an escape from the confinement of lockdowns, and the most I’ve ridden at one time is about 25 miles. How can I do more than triple that amount?

I believe the trick to enduring a physical challenge like this one is to have a purpose. As a journalist, I’ve spent years reporting on health and wellness, talking to doctors and researchers, and hearing the stories of people touched by breast cancer—the most common type of cancer among women in the U.S.

I’ve also been personally touched by cancer from a young age. A classmate of mine lost the battle against brain cancer in 3rd grade and my grandfather survived cancer during my teenage years.

So when my friends at OOFOS invited me to join Team Duncan and help raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute during the Pan-Mass Challenge, I thought, that’s my purpose.

Writing about health has shown me that we need more research to find a cure for breast cancer. As I work to fundraise for breast cancer research—and as I pedal my way from Bourne to Provincetown, MA, on two wheels—I’ll be thinking about those who’ve lost the fight against cancer, those who’ve survived, those who are still fighting, and the doctors and scientists who are dedicating their careers to curing breast cancer. It'll keep me going when the ride gets tough.

I’m still afraid I won’t have the strength to pedal such a long distance in the hot August heat. But I’ll be training hard, and with support from people like you, I know I can do it.

Please help me reach my $6,000 fundraising goal by making a donation. Every dollar goes directly to cancer research and your donation is 100% tax deductible. If a loved one has been touched by cancer and you’d like to make a donation in their honor, please mention their name in the notes section of the donation page—I’ll find a special way to honor them during my ride.

Donations of any amount would mean so much to me. Thank you for cheering me on and helping to support the fight against breast cancer.