And also, for the many others we love…like my Dad some lost the fight with cancer, others are currently fighting and some have become survivors on my growing list…

Those who lost the fight: Susan's Husband Andy...Uncle Arthur Aubin...Uncle Albert Cadorette… Jane Charette... Steve Warren’s best friend, Lou Chirichella - who battled cancer for 8 long years… Guy Coletti…Ricky Cotter…Sandy Doorey's Husband… Marty Fitzgerald… Cara Florio's Dad…Susan Freidman's friend Karen... DFAC friends... Tommy Graham… Charlene's mom, Lucille Gaudette... Carl Hill's Dad… Sally Hogan's husband, Wally... Paul Houle's Dad Carl… Fr. John Kelleher’s Niece… Trace's little cousin Charlotte Kelly… Aunt Helen Killion…Laurie Kilroy… Mary Lees… my sister Kathleen’s friend, Jody Lilja… Brad Liska… Laura Riedell-Lockhart …Pam Lutrell...Owen Lynch… Helen's friend, Kathy McGrory… Dave McKeen…Dot O’Toole... Cathy's brother in-law and bobbie's husband, Dick Paradise... Mark Podolsky… Margaret Hill’s Mom, Maryann Riley… Victor Roache's Grandmother… Cousin Kevin Ryan… Jill’s Dad, Jay Salz… Carey  Scovel … Derek Smith's Grandmother… Fr. Patrick Tarrant... Uncle John Trainor… Uncle Fr. Joseph Trainor … Uncle Leo Trainor… Cousin Mary Trainor… Lisa Theoharidis's Mom… Grace Trull's sister… Milton Shuch… Pat Watsons… Eileen Weber's Mom… John Wylde...

Fighting the battle: Karen’s sister, Sue… Stacy… Renee's brother… Carmen… my cousin Peter… Geralyn Leone's Dad...Our Lady of Victory Cancer Support Group

Cancer Survivors: Eileen Bocchi… Maura Cain… Deborah Cromwell… Susan Gotthardt… Fr. Mark…  Reagan Joyce… Sam Linnell… Gary Mathieu… Fr. Tom… Karen Megathlin… Peter’s Mom, Jill Moran… Sheila Murphy… Bill O’Toole... Linda Polia… Roz Shulman

Dear Friends and Family,

I have resumed my commitment to bike in the PMC on August 1st.  This year's ride has a very special meaning for me. 

Every year that I have participated in the PMC I have done so for someone I cared about that was fighting or had lost the fight with cancer. My first PMC was in honor of my friend Sarah’s nephew, Sam who today is doing well. Year two, friend Carl Reidell had lost his daughter Laura to cancer at the age of 35. Then it was during day 1 of the PMC in 2010 at our first water stop that my mom called because they found a spot and although my dad had been cancer free for 15 years it was back.  From this point on the PMC had become even more personal because now it was my dad who had the cancer. During the next few years it was my dad’s name on my ribbons and his picture on my bike. As fate would have it, on day 2 of the PMC in 2013 at 6pm after my ride was over mom called. My dad was back again in the hospital and the news was not good. The cancer had spread everywhere and there was nothing more they could do but make dad comfortable. Dad died that September of that year. We only get one set of parents so cherish them and show them every day of your life how much you love them! When the time comes it doesn’t matter how old or sick they are, you will always just one more day, just one more hug or one more smile.

Your help in supporting my commitment in the fight against cancer is important and personal.  Your donation can’t bring back my dad but it is giving hope to other daughters and families everywhere that we will find a cure for cancer. 

I carry this poem written by Lilly in 2012 for Papa in my pocket when I ride:    

“Cancer is more than a disease that may never be tamed. It breaks families apart; fills the world with terror and sadness that will go on forever if we do not do all we can to make a difference to stop this disease that kills even the youngest members of the earth.”  

An amazing fact that must be shared! Since 2007, 100% of every dollar PMC cyclists raise goes directly to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute - Jimmy Fund. Since 1980, the PMC has contributed $455 million. This has allowed Dana-Farber to make some of the most important advances in cancer research which is giving hope that we will achieve the ultimate goal - A WORLD WITHOUT CANCER.

Thank you for your support!

With love and gratitude,

Lisa