I am riding in my 3rd PMC for my best friend Nick Tierney who was tragically taken from this world after a battle with Cancer in February of 2021. Nick's impact on my life and the lives of our fellow BC friend group is immeasureable and we hope to keep his legacy going for years to come. There is nothing in this world that I could do to make up for the loss of such an important person in my life, but I am thrilled to be able to ride for Nick and raise money to hopefully one day cure the horrible disease that took our beloved friend.

The PMC is a fantastic organization that I was fortunte enough to be introduced to by the Strakosch family. It has helped so many and I look forward to participating in my third challenge this year. I will be riding for Team Detect Me If You Can--- captain'd by Tim Strakosch -- which has over forty riders.

Any and all donations are appreciated and will go towards research on the fighting the cancer that took such a massive part of our lives away from us. The project specifically is the GEvolve project under the direction of Dr. Eirini Pectasides. More information on the project can be found below

This one is for you Nicky! We love and miss you Pal! #ForTierney

GEvolve: Genomic Evolution of Gastroesophageal Cancer

• Study the evolution/development of gastric and esophageal cancers

• Understand how genomic mechanisms (i.e. mutations, biomarkers, etc.) impact response to treatment

• Understand the mechanisms of resistance to treatment for these cancers, treatments such as:

  • Previously only surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and HER2 targeted therapy were approved as standards of care

  • In Fall 2020, Dana-Farber presented results of two clinical trials proving that immunotherapy (IO) is more effective in treating subtypes of these cancers – it is slated to be FDA approved in Spring 2021

  • Yet, only a percentage of patients respond well to IO. The GEvolve study will help determine biomarkers that predict which patients will respond positively to IO

• Identify predictors of treatment response to enable precision medicine for gastric and esophageal cancers

• Develop novel therapies and combinations that overcome resistance to treatment

This research study has a simultaneous benefit to patients participating. Not only do patients participating help move the field forward, but they can benefit from a precision medicine approach. Results of PROFILE (our tumor collection program that screens for ~500 known cancer mutations), immune testing, etc. can help direct patient treatment and align “off-label” treatment combinations. This is critical considering most patients only get surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy for gastric cancer.