UPDATE:  AUGUST 2025

THIS IS THE YEAR to donate to the PMC, and today is the perfect day to direct your donations!   WIth medical research funding under attack, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute needs our philanthropy now more than ever.  Cancer research is vital for the development of life enhancing and life saving therapeutic treatments.  For all those you love, those you have loved, and for yourself and future generations -- please give generously today!  AND... thank you from the bottom of my heart.

??  Your friend, Lisa  

UPDATE: July 2024

Hi everyone! The Billion Dollar PMC fundraising year is upon us, and I want to update you about how I'll participate this year.

As some of you may know, my mother Audrey Forman Robbins, passed away in June from Pancreatic Cancer. All money I raise this year will be in memory of her. She was predeceased by both of her siblings who died from cancer, as well. My PMC efforts are for them. I also participate in the PMC for some very special friends and family who are living with cancer right now, with their treatment directed by Dana Farber Cancer Institute. AND -- I'm also doing this for you and / or your loved ones affected by cancer.

Given the challenges of caring for my mother during her illness with pancreatic cancer over this past year, I did not train to ride any distance for PMC 2024. HOWEVER, I will be volunteering on Saturday, as the riders roll in to Mass Maritime in Bourne, after pedaling many miles! I'll serve Chili and Potatoes from 9am to 1pm, so come on by to say hello and get your carbs from me! I will also get on my bike on Sunday of PMC weekend, to do my traditional 'contemplative ride' which gives me an opportunity to reflect on the reason I'm doing this fundraiser for the 8th year running...

I am making this appeal late in the season, but I'm asking seriously:

even if you've donated to other riders, or if you are riding yourself this year, please consider a donation in ANY amount to my PMC fundraiser. 100% of every dollar I raise goes DIRECTLY to fund DFCI research and care.

Thank you in advance. May you be well, may you be happy, may you be loved.

Lisa

Update: September 2023

Together, you and I have raised over $60,000 this year!

What an amazing accomplishment - THANK YOU for being on my Team of Supporters for this year's Pan-Mass Challenge Fundraiser.

Update: July 2023

Cancer happens.

After my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month, my family and I entered the Cancer Zone. The moment of diagnosis changes the landscape of daily life as we know it, and as the contours of treament planning become what shapes one's days, there is a sense of unreality. For me, this has also meant that my cycling / training has taken a back seat this year, as I help with medical scheduling, consultations, interventions, and treatment appointments. Although I will not participate in an extended PMC weekend cycling route this summer, I will do a short ceremonial PMC ride on my own in August. And... my fundraising is in FULL SWING! Thus far, my fundraising has far exceeded any prior year - and with your help, we can surpass my goal of $55,000 for 2023.

Hop on board, it feels great to donate! And thank you all for your love and support, and for being fellow human beings in the quest to Cancel Cancer!

Update: April 2023

As the weather warms, PMC cyclists begin to focus in our primary goal: to Cancel Cancer! By riding for the Pan-Mass Challenge, each participant contributes our physical efforts and fundraising muscle to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's efforts to improve quality of ife and cure cancer. I'm proud to ride with Team Kermit in support of the Jared Branfman Sunflowers for Life Fund (read below for more information). The Kermits have managed to contribute substantially to treatment innovations for Pediatric Brain and Spinal Tumor Research. With over 5 Million Dollars raised so far, donors can rest assured that children and their families benefit immediately from the impact of your contribution. PLEASE DONATE! It will make you feel good, and we know it makes a life-saving difference.

I will be riding a Reimagined PMC Ride again this year, charting a route or two in August on Cape Cod. We all need to be aware of our strengths and limitations, and this summer I'll mainly be putting my fundraising muscles to work.

WILL YOU JOIN MY TEAM OF SUPPORTERS THIS YEAR?

I'd love to have you join me. Thanks so much!

Update: January 2023

Ok, let's roll!

This will be my 7th year fundraising for Dana Farber Cancer Institute through my Pan-Mass Challenge ride. As I rehab this year from ongoing back issues, I'm motivated to become as capable as possible so that I can continue to ride on behalf of a cure for cancer. Year over year, more beautiful human beings face down cancer diagnoses. With the help of the researchers and clinicians at Dana Farber, improved quality of life and increased longevity are realistic goals being met each and every day.

With your help, I plan to do my part again this year.

Thank you in advance for being on my Team of Supporters, as I join with Team Kermit to conquer cancer!

More updates to follow this spring. Best to all of you, stay well.

Lisa

UPDATE: May 29, 2022

What a year this has been for us all!

I will be riding as a member of Team Kermit again this year, as we raise funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Most everyone I know has been touched by cancer, one way or another. I ride in honor of my best friend, Karen, who is living a tremendous and inspiring life while undergoing treatment for Multiple Myeloma, under the guidance of her DCFI team. I also ride in honor of my neice, Zoe, who is living with an inoperable brain tumor. And I ride in memory of my beloved Aunt Jill, who passed away from pancreatic care, after receiving care at DCFI, that allowed her quality of life as long as possible.

Thank you, in advance, for donating as generously as you can to Dana Farber this year. All proceeds from my ride with go directly to fund research and treatment through the Jared Branfman Sunflowers for Life Fund. (See below for more information about this fund.)

May you be well ??????

Lisa

Updated March 30, 2021

What a year! Thank goodness PMC 2021 is just around the corner, and we can ALL feel good about donating to the PMC in support of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as together we aim to eradicate cancer. I'll be riding with Team Kermit again this summer.

If you've been on my team of supporters in the past, please join me again for another challenging and important ride. If you haven't donated in the past, please do! One way or another, we've all been touched by cancer - let's conquer this disease together!

Much love to all of you,

Lisa

Updated June 7, 2020:

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are staying safe and well.

By now you may already know that the Pan-Mass Challenge has been reimagined for 2020, given the wise public health constraints we need to adhere to for our own and others' safety. While I won't have the opportunity to ride the 2-day Wellesley to Provincetown route this year, as planned, I will most certainly clock the miles on my bike to be worthy of your support and sponsorship. More information to follow, as my new team - Team Kermit - works to reimagine and plan for this summer's version of the PMC.

All that said, your donation means more than ever! Dana-Farber continues to work extremely hard to not only serve patients with cancer who are currently receiving treatment, but also in their ongoing quest for treatments and - yes! - cures. I'm thrilled to support the Jared Branfman Sunflowers for Life fund, in its effort to treat and cure childhood spinal and brain cancer. THANK YOU for continuing to be the wind at my back, and a member of my team of supporters.

Sending love,
Lisa

Updated April 30, 2020:

HI Friends,

What a crazy and frightening moment in time this is for all of us. I hope you are staying safe and well.

In addition to the ordinary challenges and stresses of our lives, the COVID-19 pandemic has made life especially challenging for so many people with life-threatening medical conditions. Last year, the Pan Mass Challenge fundraiser raised $60 million to fund cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and with your help I personally raised over $27,000! As I ride my bike to raise funds again this year, I am hoping that you will again join my team of donors, in the search for innovative cancer treatments and ultimately a cure.

As you likely know, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute continues to help patients and their families receive essential treatment during this public health crisis. Right now, many donors are feeling the economic impact of the pandemic, which is effecting many nonprofits. However, DFCI relies on the millions of life-saving dollars raised by the annual Pan Mass Challenge, to continue to research treatments and potential cures for cancer. In fact, my best friend, Karen, is currently receiving treatments which were only made possible by donors like you (see video here for more information https://vimeo.com/412419163)! Quite possibly, you or someone you love has also been the beneficiary of Dana-Farber's relentless commitment to cancer research, treatment, and cure.

This August 2020, I am doubling my commitment to Dana Farber, by riding over 160 miles, from Wellesley to Provincetown, MA. I’ve been invited to join Team Kermit this year, and I will be riding with an incredible group of people. Please see the attached information about Team Kermit and the Sunflowers for Life Fund to fund pediatric brain cancer research, to which all donations from our team’s fundraising are directed. This fund has raised over $4.7 million to date, and has changed the course of pediatric brain cancer treatment!

I hope you will help lead my team of supporters again for the 2020 Pan Mass Challenge.

Lives depend on our philanthropy, and your contribution will make a life-changing difference in the lives of young brain cancer patients and their families.

Wishing you all good health, peace, and ease in the days ahead.

With so much love,

Lisa

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August 2019:

One way or another, it seems that we are all touched by cancer.

I am riding in the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) for my 4th time this summer in honor of two very important people in my life: my 17 year old niece, Zoe, and my best friend and college roommate, Karen R.

Both of these strong, special people have been living with cancer and are the grateful recipients of Dana Farber's top rate medical care. I am also riding in memory of my aunt, Jill Forman Starr, my second mom, who received incredible care at Dana Farber during her battle with pancreatic cancer.

One more note:

100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to support the Sunflowers for Life Fund for Pediatric Brain and Spinal Tumor Research* at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.*

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* The Jared Branfman Sunflowers for Life Fund for Pediatric Brain and Spinal Tumor Research

The Jared Branfman Sunflowers for Life Fund For Pediatric Brain and Spinal Tumor Research was established to raise critical support to further research resulting in treatment of pediatric brain cancer and cancers of the central nervous system. The Fund is under the direction of Katherine E. Warren, MD, Director of Pediatric Medical Neuro-Oncology and Dr. Pratiti Bandopadhayay, MBBS, PhD at the Dana-Faber Cancer Institute.

Pediatric brain cancer is among the rarest and most challenging cancers facing the medical community and those children afflicted with them. The support that our Sunflowers For Life Fund* has generated has realized many advancements in the understanding of these cancers and has directly contributed to the increase in successful implementation of targeted therapies, among other treatments.

One of the key ingredients of research is the availability of tissue samples for study. In this family of cancers, tissue samples have been exceedingly difficult to secure. The first project sponsored by our Fund in 2008 was to aid in the procurement of these samples. The sites were both national and international in scope and included Egypt, India, China and other locations. Our Fund was a main contributor to the gathering and transportation back to the USA of these samples, as well as the receiving, processing, storage, distribution, preparation, analysis, and overall use of these rare samples. This is cutting edge experimentation and research, and experiments have resulted in new treatment protocols that have increased the survival rate of patients with previously fatal and very difficult cancers to treat.

Of these cancers, low-grade gliomas are the most common pediatric brain tumors and additional therapies are urgently needed to treat the most challenging forms of disease. Dana-Farber is home to the only dedicated pediatric low-grade glioma (PLGG) program in the world, and the physician-scientists there are leading exemplary scientific studies and providing world-class clinical care for patients with pediatric brain tumors. These internationally renowned experts are spearheading basic science investigations to reveal key biological information about PLGG, including the shared and unique characteristics of gangliogliomas and glioneuronal tumors. These groundbreaking findings are driving the development of novel, more strategic therapeutic approaches for patients. This is yet another area that our Sunflowers Fund has contributed to, most recently by funding the hiring of two pediatric neuro-oncologists that will focus on laboratory effects that will impact clinical care for children with brain tumors. These two researches are the first ever dedicated for pediatric oncology.

This is a quote from the most recent full report on our Fund: Your generous philanthropy as well as the ongoing support of Team Kermit, plays a key role in advancing this research.

Since 2005, The Jared Branfman Sunflowers for Life Fund For Pediatric Brain and Spinal Tumor Research has raised over $4.5 million.