This year I once again will join thousands of riders for the annual Pan Mass Challenge to support cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston.

I am riding for Team Perry which supports gastrointestinal oncology research and clinical care at DFCI. It has been a challenging year as I continue to diagnose patients every day with GI related cancers. Many of these patients are young just starting families and their lives. GI related cancers do not care how old you are. The conversations are never easy. It is sobering but also hopeful as there are many new treatments allowing patients to live longer and stronger.

As I am training for my 14th year riding, I am worried about the future of not only cancer treatment, but also treatment for a variety of medical diseases. As you are aware, there has been an unprecedented threat to funding for medical research in our country. Research that has not only led to a better understanding of different forms of cancer, but also to treatments and even cures. This research forms the bedrock of cancer care and remains critical to extending and saving lives.

This year, your support is even more important for patients to continue to receive outstanding care and to continue efforts to eradicate all forms of cancer. Your support will directly help continue ongoing research projects and allow new projects to start. If not cured, many cancers can be managed as if they were chronic diseases. People are living longer. There is incredible hope. These successes are not possible without your support.

Please give what you can. Any amount makes a big difference.

You can contribute online at my profile page: https://profile.pmc.org/LB0227

Thank you so much for your support.

Laurence