I am registered for my fourth Pan-Mass Challenge! As most of you know from my past rides, the Pan-Mass Challenge is a Massachusetts-based bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. Always held the first weekend in August, the PMC raises funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research and the hospital which is home to my oncologist, Dr. Phil Poorvu. I will once again be joining my friends on Team Duncan and will be riding the 2 day, Wellesley to Provincetown route on August 3 and 4.

While I was not originally planning to ride this year, after being sidelined all last year with a frozen shoulder and feeling like the training to get back in shape was going to be insurmountable, I felt compelled to register after my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her diagnosis and treatment plan has really driven home for me the impact this event has had on cancer research. Twelve years ago, when I went through my own breast cancer journey, I had full genetic testing done. At that time, my panel included 3 genes; and, while I had no mutations of the 3 genes, I still had chemo, radiation, and tamoxifen. Fast forward to this year when my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and went through genetic testing...her genetic testing panel included 28 genes!! The additional genes that are now tested allowed Terri's doctors to pinpoint her treatment - single side mastectomy and tamoxifen. No double mastectomy, no chemo, and no radiation!! If she had been diagnosed 12 years ago like I was, I'm confident that she would have had a double mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and tamoxifen. I know, in my heart, that the $18,566 I raised through my friends' and family's generous donations in my previous 3 rides truly made a difference and that future donations will continue to support the groundbreaking research needed to keep progress rolling. WE HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

This year's PMC will be the 45th ride and will push us over $1 billion in funds raised. Last year, my own team alone raised $1,010,000; and, at 109 riders strong this year, we expect to top that amount. 100 percent of all rider-raised funds go directly to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. The PMC is Dana-Farber’s single largest supporter.

I hope that you will consider donating to my fundraising efforts. When I hit the roads of Massachusetts on August 3 and 4, I will carry each of you with me; and, if you make a donation to my fundraising efforts and you would like me to wear your name or a name of a loved one on my jersey, please let me know.

Every mile of training and every tire rotation will again be both a victory and a remembrance. I ride so that more people will have the opportunity to ride in victory and fewer will have to ride in remembrance.

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. Every dollar truly matters as we work together to end all types of cancer!