Hello Everyone - A little over a year ago I decided to participate in the Pan-Mass challenge. Little did I know the experience would move me to the point where I have committed to doing the ride each year, for as long as I am able. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the PMC; it is a 2-day, 190 mi benefit ride intended to raise money for Dana Farber Cance Institute in Boston. All donations go directly to Dana Farber for cancer research and treatment. It is in its 45th year and has raised a total of $972 million dollars. Last year's ride alone, raised a record $72 million dollars in the 2-day event
For me the ride was incredibly inspiring. Seeing the faces of survivors, patients in treatment, family members, and the general public thanking the riders along the way (many holding signs and pictures, some crying), was at times, overwhelming to say the least. State police and local police protecting the riders at every intersection....While I have many memories from the 2 days, one memory I will never forget came at the end of the ride in Provincetown. As I was sitting down to eat in the rider's area, full of long tables, under a huge tent, I noticed what appeared to be a family of 4 sitting a few feet away, They appeared to be a husband and wife, along with 2 college age children. All 4 of them wore identical jerseys with a picture of what looked to be a young teen, displayed over the entire back of their jersey.. I felt compelled to ask about who it was they were obviously riding for?... Speaking with the mother, who seemed thankful that I took the time to ask, I learned that they were riding in memory of their son. A brother to their other 2 children and a twin to the other boy. It turns out that cancer had robbed him of his life, 6 years earlier, unexpectedly at the age of 14. His death came only 6 months after waking up one morning not feeling well. She went on to tell me that at the time of his diagnosis, his type of cancer was so rare, that Dana Farber was unsure of how to best treat it and spent several weeks coming up with a game plan. She said because of the advancements in research at Dana Farber, that had he been diagnosed today, he would most likely survive. We both had tears in our eyes....
As I mentioned last year, I have never felt comfortable asking others to donate to fundraisers, please know that 100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure. if you are so inclined, please join me in helping to fight this terrible disease. All of us together can make a difference.....Thank you.
