I'm a proud participant in the Pan-Mass Challenge - a bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country - to bring us Closer by the Mile to a cure for cancer. I am riding with Team Brave Like Blake in honor of my 5 year daughter Blake.

We had just wrapped up the best weekend, celebrating all 3 of my daughters Summer Birthdays with a huge summer Pool Party Bash. Little did we know 3 days later Blake would be diagnosed with Cancer. Blake had just turned 5 years old when she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. She has been through so much since her diagnosis on August 6, 2024, a date that will be engrained in my brain forever. Scan after scan, multiple procedures, blood and platelet transfusions, hospital stays, chemo, stem cell collection, endless appointments and a 14 hour surgery in New York City to remove her tumors. Things slowed down a bit and we were able to enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years with the hope that Blake wouldn’t need anymore treatment. However, her latest CT and MIGB scan confirmed what we hoped wasn’t the case.

Blake’s treatment has started back up in full force. She just completed another 2 rounds of chemo and has been admitted to Boston Children’s Hospital for days at a time while receiving it. She begins a new round of chemo every 21 days for 3 full rounds, followed by a 4-6 week stay at the hospital for a stem cell transplant, 2 weeks of radiation and then immunotherapy where she will be admitted into the hospital for 1 week each month for 6 months.

We know Blake is strong but we have a very long and difficult road ahead of us. Despite all that is going on for Blake, she rarely complains and that sweet Blakey smile we all know and love continues to shine no matter what comes her way.

This year on August 2nd and 3rd Team Brave Like Blake will be participating in the Pan Mass Challenge. Our team goal is to raise $120,000! 100% of every dollar we raise goes directly towards Neuroblastoma research, meaning that your donations has real impact!. We need your help to ensure that today’s research is tomorrow’s cure. I will do whatever I can do to bring awareness to Neuroblastoma in hopes that one day no child and no family will have to endure this awful cancel journey.

Please donate to my PMC fundraising and help me reach my fundraising goal.