Last year, I rode my first PMC. The last 5 miles were incredibly painful, and I cried. I cried for how hard it was, and I cried for how much I missed my mother, and I cried for all the people who supported my ride and had experienced loss.
My mother died 18 years ago. I miss her everyday. She was too young. And we all felt powerless. Not her. She fought to the end. I've wanted to do something physically hard in her honor for a long time but never thought I really could. I was wrong. I did it. I crushed it. And the minute I was done I was ready to sign up to do it again.
I ride for too many friends who have fought cancer through the years. I ride for Jess and Birgit who we lost too soon. I ride for Ruthanne and Christina who are still here enriching my life. I ride for Shelley and John and Scott and Jen and Kathy. When I sit down and really consider who I know who has fought or is fighting cancer, the list is mind boggling. Cancer touches all of us and many of my friends have benefitted from the work done at Dana Farber. I am so grateful for every extra day they are with us.
I ride because it gives me hope. I ride because the PMC is so incredibly impactful. I ride because 100% of the donations I garner are passed straight through to Dana-Farber and cancer research. I ride because I want to be part of something bigger than myself, something deeply positive in the world. I ride because I can when so many others can't. I ride because I'm pretty sure that if we knew 20 years ago all that we know now, my mom would still be with us. I ride to save your mom, sister, friend. I ride because the PMC is helping save them.
Please come along on my ride and let's make a difference. Please think about giving $180 - $10 for every year we've missed my mom. Or how about $216 - $1 for every month she hasn't been here. Or how about $500 for the sheer joy of not having to ride those miles yourself!!! Or $20, all the donations really add up.
And when you give, please make sure you share your cancer story with me. Thinking of all of you and your stories kept me going last year. Thank you so much for your consideration. Hope you'll be along for my ride in August.
