In just a few short weeks I will be joining Team Kevin Fitz for my fifth PMC ride. It’s been six years since I last rode and last year when PMC weekend came around, I thought to myself I need to do my part and rejoin the fight to end cancer. The experience is overwhelming seeing the thousands of people who dedicate their time to riding, volunteering, and supporting riders. Every individual is there because they personally, or someone close to them has suffered from this horrible disease. If I can make a small difference, I will continue to be part of this fight to find a cure.

Cancer continues to affect friends, families and acquaintances constantly. Just this year my good friend Ben Rudary lost his mother Lyn to a long fight with cancer. Ben and I became close after attending Wentworth together. I can’t think of someone with a bigger heart and someone who genuinely just feels good to be around. When I heard about his mother being sick and passing, I was reminded that this terrible disease continues to affect everyone’s life around me and it needs to stop. This year I am riding in memory of Ben’s Mom - Lyn Rudary.

I first learned of cancer at a very young age when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember not really knowing completely what was going on but clearly saw how much our entire family came together to help her beat this horrible disease. My mom is one of the strongest people I know and today has beaten that disease! I ride each year thinking about my mom’s strength. During that time, I didn’t realize how many other people and families are also touched by cancer. Without the important research to cure this awful disease, some people don’t get the opportunity to call themselves survivors.

It has now been eight years since my father-in-law Leo passed away due to this horrible disease. Big Leo lives on in our memories and as a family we still share a lot of laughs thinking about him. Big Leo built an incredible family that has continued to grow with 11 grandchildren, but we miss him and wish he could be there physically with us for all the laughs and memories. He was a family man, who cherished his wife and kids more than anything, and I will forever hold close the lessons I learned from him. I continue to ride in honor of Big Leo and the many other people close to me who have been affected and continue to be affected and I ask all of you to also help make a difference.

Please consider donating to this worthy cause and appreciate that 100% of proceeds go towards finding a cure.