I am riding in my second PMC because Dana-Farber Cancer Institute saved my life! It’s that simple. I am grateful to be here and to have the opportunity to contribute to an institution that is making significant, positive impacts on so many lives.

I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer 4 years ago. Last year, I was overjoyed and overwhelmed to pedal into my first PMC. The love and energy from the PMC community was everything I had imagined and more. This year I will be riding 186 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown on August 2nd and 3rd. 100% of rider-raised revenue will go directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure.

According to Dr. Kimmie Ng, the founding director of Dana-Farber’s Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center, they are seeing “more young people, otherwise healthy with no genetic syndrome, being diagnosed with very advanced stages of gastrointestinal cancers. For men under 50, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death... In women under 50, it is now the second leading cause of cancer death. These are concerning numbers and we are all working hard to understand why this is happening.” Donations will support research and help patients like me. I would be so grateful.

This ride wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of my care team, a.k.a. “The A-team”. Dr. Bob Mayer, Dr. Harvey Mamon, Dr. Joel Goldberg, and Jane Bausch, LICSW. I would also like to thank my wife, Chelsea, my daughters Quinn and Sylvia, and my Mom, Sue, for being my caretakers. Once again, I will be riding with Team Wolf Pack. I’m thankful that Chelsea’s firm and colleagues are committed to supporting Dana-Farber. The memory of my friends who lived courageously and fought valiantly --- Gail Harwood, Michael Kovarik, Kristen Leary, and Marie Abdou --- will be with me from Sturbridge to Ptown.

Thank you,

Kristen