7/7/2025
Dear Friends and Family,
On August 2nd and 3rd, I will be riding 163 miles from Wellesley to Provincetown in my 26th Pan Mass Challenge to raise money for cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Together with over 7000 riders and 3500 volunteers we hope to raise 76 million dollars with 100% of rider raised funds going directly to cancer research.
Once again, our team Fat Boy Slim Sisters is proud to participate in the Jimmy Fund Pedal Partner Program. This year, we're riding for 9 year old Declan Vail, who is bravely battling brain cancer at Dana-Farber. Declan was diagnosed at 3 years old with an incurable pediatric brain tumor. Despite facing what no child and family should have to face, multiple brain surgeries, chemo, other targeted treatments and living with all the side effects, Declan keeps smiling and inspiring everyone who has ever met him. If he and his parents can continue this fight, then so can we! Declan's brain tumor is incurable with current tech, but scientists devote their careers and lives to make sure kids like him can live cancer free one day!
Please donate at ://give.pmc.org/KD0022. You can also donate on Venmo by following the link on my profile page https://profile.pmc.org/KD0022. or mail me a check made out to the PMC, with my rider ID KD0022, at 7 Perry lane, Dover MA 02030. My goal is to raise $11,000 this year.
With much love and appreciation,
Klarina Donoghue
Dear Family and Friends,
On August 3 & 4, 2024, the PMC community will come together from all corners of the world with one mission: raise funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Together, we will get closer by the mile to a world without cancer. This will be my 25th year riding, and I'm hoping to pass the $200,000 in total fundraising mark. The Pan Mass Challenge community is aiming to pass the 1 billion dollar mark this year! It is incredible what an impact the PMC has had in its 44 year history as 100% of every rider raised dollar goes directly to cancer research.
Every year there is another person in my life that is diagnosed with cancer. And every year there is another loved one lost to the disease. Cancer touches every life, every family, and every community. We are all at risk of ending up with cancer at some point in our lives. The mission of the Pan Mass Challenge is to reduce and eliminate this disease of body, family and community. I keep riding and fundraising to further this goal, and I truly appreciate your continued support. None of this would be possible without you.
Once again, our team Fat Boy Slim Sisters is proud to participate in the Jimmy Fund Pedal Partner Program. This year, we're riding for 8-year-old Declan Vail, who is bravely battling brain cancer at Dana-Farber.
Our best tool in the work against cancer is the community of researchers, technicians, and doctors. The most effective way the average person can help is through public backing and material support. I’m hoping you’ll help us reach our shared goal - the dream of a world with no more family, friends, and neighbors lost to cancer.
Please donate at ://give.pmc.org/KD0022. You can also donate on Venmo by following the link on my profile page https://profile.pmc.org/KD0022. or mail me a check made out to the PMC, with my rider ID KD0022, at 7 Perry lane, Dover MA 02030.
With much love and appreciation,
Klarina Donoghue
Hello everyone!
On August 5th and 6th, I will be riding in my 24th Pan Mass Challenge, riding 163 miles and raising money for cancer treatment research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Every year there is another reason to ride with close family andfriends getting diagnosed with cancer. This year, I ride in memory of my Mem, who would have been 85 this year as well as Glenn, Hailey, tante Akke, omke Jaap, omke Minne, tante Annie, omke Ulbe, uncle George, Jan-Durk, and Erica. I also ride to honor those who have battled this horrible disease and are with us today, thanks to modern medicine: our nephew Sam, our new son in law Mark, Alien, Michele, Ed, Lewis, Neil, Glynn, tante Tynke, Jamie, Michael, Chip, Meg, Deni, Linda, Renze, Doug, Sietse, Laura and omke Wiegerdurk. I know most of you have loved ones in mind that have been impacted by cancer, I will ride in their honor and memory as well.
This past year has been a significant time in terms of major family events for us. Lots of very memorable things were said during toasts and in conversations with family and friends. Two things in particular came to mind when I was working on this letter, and I wanted to share them with you.
The first is “I appreciate you!” which is different than “I appreciate it!”. Without you, none of this would be possible. Not the love. Not the support. Not the connection and not the community. It is really all about you…and us. The “it” is the result of the “you”. I really, truly appreciate you!
The other is “It’s a love fest!”. When we come together in celebration or support of others, that’s when our love is so clear and present. Your love is there in the notes attached to donations, when we see each other before or after the PMC weekend, when we share our concerns about loved ones with cancer, when we know that we are doing what we can do to help find a cure. It’s a love fest when I see all the people lining the route cheering the riders on. It is there in the posters of the children and the families standing nearby hoping and praying for cure. It’s a love fest that radiates out from our shared concerns and actions.
The PMC’s goal this year is to raise $70 million, with every fund-raised dollar going directly to cancer research. My personal goal is to raise $10 thousand. Our best tool in the work against cancer is the community of researchers, technicians, and doctors. The most effective way the average person can help out is through public backing and material support. I’m hoping you’ll help us reach our shared goal - the dream of a world with no more family, friends, and neighbors lost to cancer.
Please donate at?https://give.pmc.org/KD0022. You can also donate on Venmo by following the link on my profile page?https://profile.pmc.org/KD0022. or mail me a check made out to the PMC, with my rider ID KD0022, at 7 Perry lane, Dover MA 02030.
With much love and appreciation,
Dear Family and Friends,
I've found that every year there is another person in my life that is diagnosed with cancer. And every year there is another loved one lost to the disease. Cancer touches every life, every family, and every community. We are all at risk of ending up with cancer at some point in our lives. The mission of the Pan Mass Challenge is to reduce and eliminate this disease of body, family and community. I keep raising and riding to further this goal, and I truly appreciate your continued support. None of this would be possible without you.
The 2022 Pan-Mass-Challenge will take place on August 6th and 7th, bringing together more than 6,000 cyclists and 4,000 volunteers with a goal of raising $66 million for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. This will be my 23rd year riding. Over these past years, we have raised $177,089 for cancer research and care. This year, I am hoping to raise $10,000.
Our best tool in the work against cancer is the community of researchers, technicians, and doctors. The most effective way the average person can help out is through public backing and material support. I’m hoping you’ll help us reach our shared goal - the dream of a world with no more family, friends, and neighbors lost to cancer.
Please donate at https://give.pmc.org/KD0022. You can also donate on Venmo by following the link on my profile page https://profile.pmc.org/KD0022. or mail me a check made out to the PMC, with my rider ID KD0022, at 7 Perry lane, Dover MA 02030.
I hope you are enjoying the summer and able to spend time with family and friends.
Thank you very much!
Love and Peace,
Klarina
July 2021
Dear Family and Friends,
On August 7th and 8th I will be participating in my 22nd Pan Mass Challenge, riding 163 miles and raising money for cancer treatment research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Last year in the midst of the pandemic the PMC donated 100% of rider raised dollars to DFCI, $41,000,000. This year, we strive to donate $52,000,000. I’ve set my personal fundraising goal to $9,000.
Even though it’s not always the easiest thing to ask friends and family to donate, I keep signing up for yet another year of riding and fundraising, because every year I know someone new, who is battling cancer. Sadly this year, we lost my cousin Jan-Durk at age 48, leaving behind his loving wife, children, family and friends. My Mom would have been 83 this month, we lost her 13 years ago. She would have loved meeting her great grandchildren and watching her grandchildren grow up into wonderful adults. Cancer touches every life, every family, and every community. We are all at risk of ending up with cancer at some point in our lives and therefore I keep riding!
Our best tool in the battle against cancer is the army of cancer researchers, technicians, and doctors. The best way the average person can support these people is through raising additional funding. I’m hoping you’ll help us reach our shared goals. Please donate at https://give.pmc.org/KD0022. You can also donate on Venmo by following the link on my profile page https://profile.pmc.org/KD0022. or mail me a check made out to the PMC, with my rider ID KD0022, at 7 Perry lane, Dover MA 02030.
Thank you, I hope you are enjoying summer and being able to spend time with friends and loved ones,
Klarina Donoghue
7/7/2020
Dear Family and Friends,
What a crazy year we are having! 2020 is nothing like we might have expected it to be. Schools and businesses closed, concerts and large events cancelled and socializing put on hold. But guess what? Cancer stops for no pandemic. Just in my own group of friends and family, there are 5 people who have been newly diagnosed and in treatment for cancer since I last wrote to you.
The Pan Mass Challenge will not take place as usual. No 7000 riders and 4000 volunteers creating an amazingly inspiring weekend proving that good things can happen when we put our collective energy into it. We are still hoping to make a sizable donation to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Last year PMC donated $63 million to DFCI and we are hoping to even in this year surpass that or at least match it.
I've made a personal commitment to raise $9000 and I hope that you can help me reach this goal. I realize that the economic fallout has impacted everyone differently. If you can give, please do so. If you cannot this year, I understand.
I hope you and yours are able to find ways to spend special times together.
Love and peace,
Klarina
The first weekend in August I will be participating in my 19th Pan Mass Challenge (PMC). I am riding to raise money for life saving cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute - 100% of the money raised by the cyclists goes directly to Dana Farber. In 2018 the PMC gave a gift of $56 million, bringing the total of 39 years of fundraising to more than $654 million!
Thanks to your generosity, last year my team “Fat Boys / Slim Sisters” presented a $440K check to Dr. Cigall Kadoch’s lab:
Our team attended a presentation at Dr. Kadoch’s lab in April. We learned more about the groundbreaking strides at battling cancer at the molecular level the lab is making. They are pursuing new avenues aggressively and have already made great progress.
I will ride in memory of those who have lost the battle with cancer. My Mom would have turned 81 this month. She was taken too young by cancer shortly after her 70th birthday. We miss her every day and cherish our memories of her. I am riding in memory of Glenn, Paul, Hailey, tante Akke, omke Jaap, omke Minne, tante Annie, omke Ulbe, uncle George and Erica. Luckily I am also riding in honor of those who survived this horrible disease and are still with us today thanks to modern medicine, or who are still fighting their battle right now, Alien, Michele, Ed, Lewis, Neil, Glynn, tante Tynke, Jamie, Michael, Deni, Renze, Sietse and omke Wiegerdurk. You probably have loved ones in mind that have been struck by cancer, I will ride in their honor and memory as well.
The PMC’s goal is to raise $60 million in 2019. I have set my goal to raise $8500. Please make the PMC your avenue to make a difference in the fight against cancer! You can give online at http://profile.pmc.org/. My PMC ID is KD0022. You can also write a check, made out to PMC, and mail it to me, Klarina Donoghue at 7 Perry lane, Dover MA 02030. Thank you so much for your continued support in our efforts to Help Cure Cancer!!
With love,
Klarina Donoghue
7/22/18
Dear Family and Friends,
On August 4th and 5th, I will be participating in my 18th Pan Mass Challenge, riding 165 miles from Wellesley to Provincetown, along with about 6000 riders and 4000 volunteers, raising money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I am once again struck by how many people I know who have been impacted by this disease. Cancer is so painful for those going through treatment, and their loved ones trying to support them during this ordeal.
I will ride in memory of my Mem, who would have turned 80 this year, and was taken away from us 10 years ago. I am riding in memory of Glenn, Paul, Hailey, tante Akke, omke Jaap, omke Minne, tante Annie, uncle George and Erica. Luckily I am also riding in honor of those who survived this horrible disease and are still with us today thanks to modern medicine, or who are still fighting their battle right now, Alien, Michele, Ed, Lewis, Neil, Glynn, tante Tynke, Jamie, Michael, Deni, Renze, Sietse and omke Wiegerdurk. You probably have loved ones in mind that have been struck by cancer, I will ride in their honor and memory as well.
This year our PMC team, “Fat Boys Slim Sisters” will be riding for and alongside our teammate Todd Balf, who was struck by Chordoma, a rare cancer of the bones in the base of the spine and skull in 2014. In the US, only about 300 new cases occur annually, that’s literally one in a million. Because Chordoma is so rare, research dollars are scarce. Our team is putting its collective fundraising efforts behind Dr. Cigall Kadoch, an acclaimed Dana Farber epigenetics researcher who is looking to solve not only this rare cancer (chordoma) but many other cancers as well. Her work has been heralded far and wide (Forbes, MIT’s Innovators Under 35), and she recently presented some of her discoveries to 20,000 people at the annual American Association of Cancer Research. All the money our team raises in 2018 will be specifically designated to her lab. Here's a link explaining the significance of her work: http://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2015/07/solving-puzzles-with-cigall-kadoch/ Our team has secured a matching grant from the Chordoma Foundation, so that each dollar we raise will go double the distance for Dr. Kadoch’s lab. And as always, all rider raised dollars go 100% to Dana Farber.
The PMC’s goal is to raise $52 million in 2018, I have set my goal to $8000. Please make the PMC your avenute to make a difference in the fight against cancer! You can give online at http://profile.pmc.org/ My PMC ID is KD0022. You can also write a check, made out to PMC, and mail it to me, Klarina Donoghue at 7 Perry lane, Dover MA 02030. Thank you so much for your continuing support in our efforts to Help Cure Cancer!!
With love,
Klarina Donoghue
Dear Friends and Family,
On August 5th and 6th, I will ride again in the Pan Mass Challenge, from the Boston suburbs, to the tip of Cape Cod. I will ride with approximately 6000 other riders, to raise money for adult and pediatric cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
I ride because I can! I ride in honor and in memory of some amazing people in my life. People who have faced cancer, beat cancer, died from cancer and have cancer.
This is my 17th year riding in the PMC and every year there seems to be another special person in my life that I ride for. This year, I especially ride for my friend Michele Buckley. We first met when our boys, (who graduated high school this spring) were in preschool together. Michele and I have been great friends ever since. Michele got diagnosed with cancer last year right before Christmas, is hoping to finish her last chemo treatment next month and be done with cancer for good! I am hoping and praying we may know each other for many more years to come!
I ride for Mem/my Mom. She would have been 79 years old and she would have been so happy to know her expanding family and being an oer-Beppe/great-grandmother! Cancer took her away from us nine years ago.
I ride in memory of Glenn Buckley, Michele’s husband who passed away from cancer five years ago.
I ride in memory of, Hailey, Tante Akke, Omke Jaap, Omke Minne, Tante Annie, Uncle George, Erica, Omke Ulbe, Heidi and Dave. Fortunately, I am also riding in honor of those who successfully beat this horrible disease and are still with us today thanks to modern medicine, Alien, Ed, Lewis, Neil, Glynn, Tante Tynke, Jamie, Michael, Deni, Renze, Anthony and Rachel. You will probably have loved ones in mind that have been struck by cancer. I will ride in their honor and memory as well!
Thank you so much for your support! Enjoy this amazing ride called life!
With lots of love and gratitude,
Klarina
July 2016
This will be my 16th year riding in the PMC. Great strides have been made in cancer treatments and survival rates! But still every year many people are struck by this disease! Please help me reach my goal of $7500 by making a donation! Let's eradicate cancer together!
Thank you so much!
Klarina
July 7th 2015
Dear friends and family,
This will be my fifteenth year riding in the Pan Mass Challenge the first weekend in August. I keep coming back for more because it is such a rewarding weekend. It’s always great to train for an athletic event, push yourself and have the satisfaction of accomplishing your goal, while feeling healthier and stronger in the process. What makes the PMC weekend so amazing is that every one participating, volunteering or cheering has a story. We have experienced cancer in a loved one or ourselves. Along the 192 miles, there are signs and conversations, which make me smile, cry or both.
Today is my Mom’s birthday. Cancer took her away from us 7 years ago, at age 70. She will be with me in my heart, thoughts and prayers every mile. I will be riding in memory of Mem, Hailey, Glenn, Tante Akke, Omke Jaap, Omke Minne, Tante Annie, Uncle George, Erica, Omke Ulbe and Heidi. Luckily I am also riding in honor of those who had to deal with this horrible disease and are still with us today thanks to modern medicine, Ed, Alien, Tante Tynke, Jamie, Michael, Deni, Renze and Anthony. Our team is also riding in honor of three year old Bea undergoing treatment at the Jimmy Fund Clinic for leukemia. You will probably have loved ones in mind that have been struck by cancer. I will ride in their honor and memory as well.
I am hoping to raise $6700 this year, which will bring my lifelong fundraising to $123,653. When the PMC reaches the goal of 45 million this year alone, they will have hit their incredible target of donating $500 million since 1980 to the Dana Farber Cancer institute. You can find my profile page on the www.pmc.org website either by name or by my rider’s id# KD0022 and click the donate button. You can also write me a check made out to the PMC and send it to me at 7 Perry lane, Dover MA 02030.
Thank you so much for your support all these years!
Love and Peace,
Klarina
July 7th 2014
Dear Family and Friends,
On August 2nd and 3rd, I will be participating in my 14 th Pan Mass Challenge. I will be riding 198 miles over two days, from Sturbridge to Bourne.
The PMC is the largest single event bikathon in our country raising money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Each year the Pan-Mass Challenge brings together thousands of cyclists, committed volunteers, generous donors and dedicated corporate sponsors. Together, we hope to provide Dana-Farber's doctors and researchers the necessary resources to discover cures for all types of cancer. I am committed to raise at least $6700 and the PMC is hoping to raise $40 million this year alone!
Today is my Mom’s birthday, she would have been 76 years old. Cancer took her away from us much to soon. She will be in my heart, thoughts and prayers every mile. I will ride in memory of Mem, Hailey, Glenn, Tante Akke, Omke Jaap, Omke Minne, Tante Annie, Uncle George and Erica. Fortunately I will also ride in honor of those family and friends that were struck by cancer and thanks to modern medicine are still with us today! My most heartfelt prayers are going out to my dear childhood friend Alien who is going through treatment right now and who I am hoping to have with us for many years to come! Also for Omke Ulbe, Renze Brandsma and tante Tynke. You will probably have loved ones in mind that have been struck by cancer. I will ride in their honor and memory as well. Please feel free to email me a picture and I will be happy to post it on my facebook PMC album.
I am very proud to be the happy parent of a first time PMC rider! Maya will participate in the Sunday Bourne to Wellesley ride. She is riding with a friend whose father was diagnosed with cancer during her freshmen year at UVM. Maya's PMC id# is MD0360.
Thanks to the generosity of my sponsors, I have been able to raise $ 111,278 to date. Please help me reach my goal of $6700 this year click on donate and find me by my name or id# KD0022 . You can also write a check made out to the PMC and send it to me at 7 Perry lane, Dover MA 02030.
Love and Peace,
Klarina
July 9, 2013
Dear family and friends,
On August 3rd and 4th I will be participating in the Pan Mass Challenge for the 13th time (my lucky number!). It’s still 190 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown and I am training hard and looking forward to the challenge!
Every year I find many reasons why I want to keep riding and raising money until there is no more cancer:
My team “Fat Boys and Slim Sisters” is riding for our Pedal Partner, 7 year old Hailey Olson, who is battling brain cancer. Hailey’s brain tumor returned this year, but she is keeping a positive attitude with the help of her family and friends. I recently saw Hailey at a Pedal Partner event at Fenway Park and she is a bright and brave little girl
· We are riding in support of Erica Kaitz, who was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) a very rare cancer. She has participated in the PMC since 1993 and is now being treated at Dana Farber
· I am riding in memory of Glenn Buckley who lost his life to cancer a year ago and left behind my dear friend Michele, and their two kids
· Always with me is my sweet Mom, Pietje Nieuwhof, who lost her life to cancer 5 years ago
· I also ride in memory of Akke Wierstra, Minne Nieuwhof, Annie Nieuwhof, George Donoghue and Jaap Wierstra.
· Fortunately, and thanks in part to PMC-funded research, we also have friends and family who were struck by cancer and are still with us, enjoying life and hoping to do so for a lot longer.
Thanks to the generosity of many of you, I have been able to raise $ 104,353.42 to date. Please help me reach my goal of $6700 this year and donate by going to www.pmc.org click on donate and find me by my name or id# KD0022 . You can also write a check made out to the PMC and send it to me at 7 Perry lane, Dover MA 02030.
Love and Peace,
Klarina
June 12
Dear Friends and Family, I will be riding again this year in the PMC, raising money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer institute. A good friend of us, Glenn Buckley, was taken at way too young an age from his family due to cancer, leaving behind his wife, my dear friend Michele, two young children and many friends and family members. Please help me raise money to fight this horrible disease. Love, Klarina
April 11
Dear Friends,
Once again I will be participating in the PMC this year. I took two summers off due to scheduling conflicts between summer camps and our annual trip to Vlieland in the Netherlands. This year we will be in the US in August, so I'm very happy to participate once again in this amazing event.
I will ride in memory of my Mom Pietje Nieuwhof. She lost her battle with cancer four days after my last PMC in 2008. We love you Mem and miss you so much but you will always be with us!
Please help me reach my fundraising goal and help the Dana Farber Institute do their amazing work in trying to kick cancer!
Love,
Klarina
August 09 Dear Friends, Thank you so much for supporting my fundraising for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute over the years. Unfortunately the way our summer works out this year I won't be able to ride in the PMC. I am doing some fundraising so if you would like to donate to the PMC on my account this year that will be very much appreciated, but I don't have a minimum fundraising amount. Hopefully I'll be back next year participating in this wonderful event. Enjoy your summer, Love and Peace, Klarina August 08
Dear Friends,
We thought things were going well, but it is a sneaky killer.
In July my Mom still rode her bike on Vlieland, the island we all like to go visit. She started not feeling so well to the end of their stay and things went downhill quickly from there. When I was riding my bike for the PMC August 2nd and 3rd my Mom had been admitted to the hospital. We arrived in time to spend some time with her and say our farewells.
Thank you all so much for sponsoring my ride and fundraising this year. It feels good to be able to do a little something in the battle against cancer. I will keep riding so that some day, no one, old or young, will have to die from this disease anymore.
Love,
Klarina
June 08
Dear Friends,
Well here we are a year later. This will be my 10th year riding the PMC. Thanks to modern medicine my Mom is doing ok. Her cancer seemes to have been braught to a halt. It is unsure what the future will bring, but right now she is enjoying every day of her life as a special gift. Spending a lot of time with friends and family and cherishing every minute of it.
Please donate to this wonderful cause. If we can help a family, to keep their Wife, Grandmother, Mother, Sister and Friend a little longer with them while increasing the quality of life, it will be worth it. I will keep riding for the Dana Farber Cancer institute for as long as I can. Please help me raise the money.
Love and Peace,
Klarina
June 07
I just found out that my Mom has cancer. We don't know what the future will bring, I just know that I love her very much and I will ride in her honor this year. She feels very grateful for the nice life that she has had so far. I am very sad and angry that cancer may take her away from us way too early. Please help me to raise funds for cancer research, so some day cancer may be of the past.
Dear Friends,
In 1998 I was talking to some friends who were going to participate in the PMC for the first time. It seemed like a great way to push myself into getting exercise with two little kids at home. So I decided to join them. This turned out a great decision. That weekend was absolutely amazing. The support from other riders, volunteers and so many people along the route cheering us on and thanking us. I clearly remember a little boy, with a sign: I'm alive! Thank you PMC. Half the ride I had tears in my eyes and chills down my spine. I was hooked for life.
I will keep riding and fundraising as long as I can and some day we will beat this horrible dissease that has taken so many loved ones. I am riding for the friends and family that we have lost and the ones that are with us still.
My team: Fat boys, slim sisters, is riding for Ian Emery. Ian at five years old has fought two different kinds of cancers and is now in remission. To learn more about Ian, you can go to our team profile, or to John and Barbara Emery's profiles.
If you would like to see some more pictures of the PMC experience click on my gallery above.
To donate on-line click on e-gift in the upper left corner of your screen. My id# is KD0022.
Thank you for your support.
Love and Peace
Klarina
