This will be my first year riding the PMC, raising money to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. I'll be riding 184 miles over two days, which my sister-in-law Dillon promises is no big deal (Dillon is also a triathlete who played lacrosse at Stanford).

Dillon's dad Jon Schoen died from cancer in 2017, and she's been riding the PMC for years in his memory. I never had the privilege of meeting Jon, but it's clear from getting to know Dillon what an incredible impact he had on her and her family, and how much they miss him every day. Casey and Dillon's wedding this past summer was joyous and beautiful, and yet we all wish Jon could have been there to walk Dillon down the aisle and dance with her at the reception.

For the past few years, I told Dillon I would ride the PMC with her one of these years. But no amount of time is promised to us, as anyone who has lost a friend or family member to cancer knows all too well. This fall, my friend Holly Fuller died at just 35 after a two-year battle with leukemia. When Dillon rode last summer, she wore a ribbon with Holly's name on it to honor her ongoing fight. I'll wear a ribbon this summer to honor her memory.

My mom's mom died of breast cancer at 60, far too early for Connor and I know her well and before Casey got to meet her. Much like Jon's impact on Dillon, my grandmother Marge had a tremendous impact on my mom, who misses her every day. These stories of people taken before their time and the holes left in their wake are unfortunately far too common. That's why the research that the Dana Farber Cancer Institute does is so important.

I'm riding for everyone whose lives have been touched by cancer, and for the medical professionals and researchers at Dana Farber who do this lifesaving work. People like my best friend from college, Meghan Shekar, who's a pediatric hematologist and oncologist at Boston Children's Hospital. I'm endlessly grateful for this work, and for any contribution you're able to make in support of cancer research. Your support will (hopefully) keep me going on mile 183, as will keeping in mind what I'm riding for: a future where we no longer lose loved ones to cancer.