Dear Friends and Supporters,

On August 1, 2005, I lost my beloved mother, Joanne, to small intestinal cancer. She was just 59 years old. For over 40 years, she bravely battled Crohn’s disease—a relentless illness that attacked her gastrointestinal tract and, ultimately, masked the cancer that took her life.

In the fall of 2003, my mom underwent surgery in hopes of improving her quality of life by addressing the Crohn’s. But instead, doctors discovered stage 4 cancer spread throughout her small intestine. Though she was given just eight months to live, she defied the odds and endured another two years—fighting courageously through intense suffering and grueling chemotherapy. Her strength and resilience continue to inspire me every single day.

This August, in honor of the 20th anniversary of her passing, I will be riding 211 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown as part of the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC)—a two-day bike ride to raise critical funds for cancer research and treatment. Every dollar raised by riders goes directly to the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, fueling their tireless work toward curing cancer.

I am doing this ride for my mom, Joanne—and for so many others whose lives have been touched by this disease. I will carry with me the names and honor:

Donna Brower, Vicki Cawley, Christine Delesio, Richard Allback Sr., Marge Schmitt, George Belano, Frances Fisher, William Fisher, Bill Fisher, Gary Fisher, Christine Fiedler, Jean Allback, and countless more who remain in my thoughts and prayers.

I’ve committed to raising at least $6,000 and would be deeply grateful for your support—whether through a donation, words of encouragement, or helping to spread the word.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or to learn more about how you can get involved. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your time, compassion, and support.

With love and gratitude,

Kristin E. Francoeur