On November 29th, 2024, my partner Chris passed away following a brief but courageous battle with a rare form of non-hodgkin's lymphoma. For those who knew Chris, it will be no surprise that he fought like hell to the very end. Everyone knows cancer is awful, but until it shows up on your doorstep, it's hard to wrap your head around just how terrible the disease is. We need a cure.

Chris was a lifelong bike enthusiast - bmx, motor, road, gravel, mountain - he loved them all from the time he was little. He didn't, however, love gears. He preferred single speed and he'd tell you about it. In this spirit, he loved doing hard things and was never one to shy away from a challenge. To honor him, I can think of nothing better than a 2-day, 160 mile bike ride that I will inevitably be under-prepared for. (I guess to truly honor him I could do this on a single speed, but I do actually want to finish.)

Chris was cared for by his incredible oncologist and oncology team at Maine Medical in partnership with a group of specialists at Dana Farber. Since its founding in 1980, Pan-Mass Challenge riders have raised more than $1 billion for lifesaving cancer research, treatment and patient care at Dana Farber. The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country, making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients at Dana-Farber and around the world. The funds I raise support the innovative work of doctors, nurses, and scientists in their search for cures for cancers and related diseases.

100% of every dollar raised goes directly to Dana-Farber, which means your donation has real impact! Please help me reach my fundraising goal by making a donation in Chris' memory or the memory of anyone you have lost to cancer, or in honor of anyone currently bravely fighting the disease.

Much love,

Kelly