It’s that time of year again! On August 4th and 5th we’re riding the Pan-Mass Challenge (this will be: Dana’s #4, Kelsey’s #3 and Bob’s #9). For those of you not familiar, the PMC is an annual bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research and care at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. In fact, it raises more money for charity than any single athletic fundraising event in the country, mainly because 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to the cause! The ride itself is a two day, 192 mile trek across the state of Massachusetts from Sturbridge to Provincetown. This is the 39th annual PMC.

So many of you have helped us every year and might remember each year we find a special reason to ride and some special heroes. This year, our inspirations are Auntie Debbie and newlywed cousin Brittney.

A little bit about Auntie Debbie, Bob’s sister-in-law. Auntie Debbie is amazingly determined like no one else. She is a 14-year survivor who has now battled three different types of cancer. She’s a relentless fighter who inspires us all and lives life to the fullest while doing it. Don’t tell Uncle Bill, but she’s already busy planning her next trip!

This year we also ride alongside our “Living Proof” rider and cousin, Brittney. Living Proof is a term used in the PMC for riders who are also either currently undergoing cancer treatment or are survivors. Brittney was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, right after her 33rd birthday, right in the middle of PMC training and just four months before her wedding. Despite undergoing treatment at the time, Brittney ROCKED the PMC last year and beat us all to the finish line. She is a fighter and inspiration to us all, and we couldn’t be more amazed by her incredible resilience.

We’re lucky we are not riding alone and have our biggest crew yet this year! With Debbie and Brittney in our hearts (or right next to us on the road), Dana, Kelsey and I will hit the pavement with Brittney (#3), her brother Jeff (rookie), her father Uncle David (#5); Jeff Pravda (#?), his daughter Sara (#?), his son-in-law Jesse (#2); Alex Wohler (rookie) whose mother is a breast cancer survivor; and Matt Longobardi (#3). We are also part of Team Perry, a team of over 70 riders whose fundraising efforts go directly to the Perry S. Levy Fellowship for Gastrointestinal Research. Perry passed away in 1999 at the age of 32 after a short and courageous battle with cancer if the small bowel. Perry’s wife and his parents have made this a wonderful and successful tradition in their family.

The PMC is a family affair for us and we could not even consider riding without their help. Each year, Nana (#9) is at home cooking pounds and pounds of chicken cutlets while Susan, Jeff’s wife, Nadine and Uncle Dick are taking care of us and chasing us around the Cape. This year we’ll have a much larger crew supporting us and can’t wait to see what the year will bring.

Your donation is tax deductible and any amount will be greatly appreciated! For easy on-line giving, please visit either pmc.org/egifts/RH0129 or DH0165 or KH0180 or to support all three, please send one check payable to “PMC Jimmy Fund” and mail to:

Bob Haggett
91 Sturgeon River Road
Glastonbury Ct 06033

Thanks to you, we are riding this year with these amazing ladies on our minds!

Thank you so much!

Dana, Kelsey and Bob Haggett