This year will mark my 25th year cycling the Pan Mass Challenge, the 200-mile, 2 day-bike ride across Massachusetts to benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and I am full of gratitude. As a cancer survivor of 7 years, I’m grateful for the research that has led to better outcomes for so many of us who suffered from this horrible disease. And I’m incredibly grateful to you, who have sponsored me in the past, as we work to raise the funds so that more people can survive a cancer diagnosis. Last year, our efforts raised $72 million, with an extraordinary $972 million raised over the PMC’s 44-year history, for life-saving cancer research and care.
Seventy-five years ago, Dr. Sidney Farber achieved the first remissions of childhood leukemia and ultimately pioneered modern chemotherapy. Now in its 45th year, the PMC has powered the Dana Farber to achieve scientific milestones like bone marrow transplantation for childhood leukemia, helped launch immunotherapy drugs known as Immune checkpoint inhibitors, created the first research tool that collects and analyzes genomic data across every cancer type, released a personalized cancer vaccine for patients with melanoma, and led a clinical trial resulting in a CART T-cell therapy for adults with multiple myeloma
Bringing cures for cancer closer by the mile requires a committed community, pushing forward together, for maximum momentum. Last year we had over 6,500 cyclists (including 950 cancer survivors, and 140 Dana Farber doctors, nurses and staff) from 43 states and 8 countries, along with 3,000 volunteers. Each cyclist and volunteer is dedicated to a best-in-class institute to accelerate cancer research and treatment, which is to everyone’s advantage. In a society that can feel ever more divisive, this is surely something we can all agree upon!
Training for the PMC and the 200 miles of riding is physically challenging, and I’m focused on this from January through August. But besides the physical challenge is the emotional challenge, thinking of all the people we collectively know who have suffered from this disease. Beyond my own cancer journey, both of my parents battled cancer, and 3 of my 4 grandparents as well. As you know, each year I wear ribbons on my cycling jersey with the names of people who have had cancer. It is particularly meaningful to me, as I write out names my donors have chosen. I already have over 350 ribbons for my jersey this year. Please let me know if there is someone else you would like me to ride for, as the numbers of people affected by cancer grows each year. My ribbons often lead to questions from other riders, and we all share stories over the miles, talking about the physical and emotional challenges that cancer has brought to us all.
With all the joy of being able to ride in such an amazing event, we all know the main reason we’re there, which is to raise the funds to find the cures, so others don’t have to suffer this fate. The Dana Farber Cancer Institute estimates that nearly 40% of men and women will be diagnosed with some type of cancer at some point during their lifetimes. So, this is a cause that will impact all of us!
In 2023, thanks to your support, I was able to raise over $191,000 for the Pan Mass Challenge, with a lifetime fundraising of $1.7 million!!! Your generosity lifted me to the top 10 of ALL fundraisers for the PMC.
On the PMC, we like to say the cure for cancer may be over the very next hill. With your help, let’s make it so.
With great appreciation and gratitude,
Linda
