Dear family and friends,
On the first Sunday of August 1997, Dennis and I were biking along the Cape Cod Rail Trail. There were a lot of other cyclists on the trail that day and I realized that they were all biking in “that cancer ride”. I decided right then that I would ride the following summer. But in January of 1998, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was unsure of my future and the course of treatment that was ahead of me. I received fantastic care at Dana Farber and in August 1999, I rode in my first Pan Mass Challenge (PMC). The event was so overwhelming and uplifting—I was hooked! I rode for myself the first year, but since then I have ridden to honor and remember many others. In 2017, my fundraising went to Pedals for Pediatrics to support a neighbor’s daughter diagnosed with leukemia. Then in 2018, Kirby’s Dream Team was created to raise funds for Kirby Green Grothal who was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. Last year I honored the memory of my father, who had just passed away from renal cancer, by donating to his doctor’s research fund. During every training ride, I reflect on those impacted by cancer and their supportive families.
This is my 25th PMC, and I plan to retire after this year. It has been a wild ride! Before GPS, we used paper route maps and there were a few years that I got lost and rode quite a few extra miles! (It is hard to look at a map when you are riding a bike!) In 2017, I had cellulitis in my ankle and foot, was walking with crutches, but was determined to ride 180 miles to Provincetown! I did not ride with Kirby’s Dream Team in 2022 but rode on my own because I had Covid! Every year has its own challenges and memories.
I’m looking forward to a spectacular 25th ride and I hope you will join me with a generous donation.
With Love and Gratitude,
Laurel
Dear family and friends,
On the first Sunday of August 1997, Dennis and I were biking along the Cape Cod Rail Trail. There were a lot of other cyclists on the trail that day and I realized that they were all biking in “that cancer ride”. I decided right then that I would ride the following summer. But in January of 1998, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was unsure of my future and the course of treatment that was ahead of me. I received fantastic care at Dana Farber and in August 1999, I rode in my first Pan Mass Challenge (PMC). The event was so overwhelming and uplifting—I was hooked! I rode for myself the first year, but since then I have ridden to honor and remember many others. In 2017, my fundraising went to Pedals for Pediatrics to support a neighbor’s daughter diagnosed with leukemia. Then in 2018, Kirby’s Dream Team was created to raise funds for Kirby Green Grothal who was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. Last year I honored the memory of my father, who had just passed away from renal cancer, by donating to his doctor’s research fund. During every training ride, I reflect on those impacted by cancer and their supportive families.
This is my 25th PMC, and I plan to retire after this year. It has been a wild ride! Before GPS, we used paper route maps and there were a few years that I got lost and rode quite a few extra miles! (It is hard to look at a map when you are riding a bike!) In 2017, I had cellulitis in my ankle and foot, was walking with crutches, but was determined to ride 180 miles to Provincetown! I did not ride with Kirby’s Dream Team in 2022 but rode on my own because I had Covid! Every year has its own challenges and memories.
I’m looking forward to a spectacular 25th ride and I hope you will join me with a generous donation.
With Love and Gratitude,
Laurel
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Laurel Archibald