In my last conversation with my friend Wafa in November 2021, he thanked me for introducing him to, what he called, The Noble Cause, referring to the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC). The PMC is an annual bike-a-thon, raising money for cancer care and research at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Since 1980, the PMC has now raised over $972 million for this cause. Each August, thousands of cyclists and volunteers come together for PMC Weekend. The signature event is a 2-day, 200-mile bike ride from central Massachusetss to the tip of Cape Cod. Last year alone, the PMC raised an incredible $72 million, with 100% of rider-raised funds going to the cause.
Wafa knew all about the PMC and my reasons for riding. He knew the story of how my friend, Joe Giovinazzo, lost his life to cancer back in 2000, how I started riding the PMC in 2001, and created Team Forza-G to honor Joe's memory. Wafa was a generous supporter of the cause and even registered as a virtual rider with Team Forza-G in 2014. While we never had the chance to actually ride together, Wafa and I had a great time sharing stories about the PMC and cycling.
On our call, when Wafa thanked me for introducing him to the PMC and for my continued efforts, I felt a bit guilty - he had supported me and the PMC for so many years...and together we had given so much to the cause...and yet, we could not pull any strings or cash in any points to change HIS outcome. We all know that's not how it works - and Wafa insisted It is a noble cause. It reminded me of the saying - the man who knows the true meaning of life plants trees when he knows he will not be there to enjoy their shade. Wafa passed away from liver cancer shortly after.
When I tell my PMC story, I talk about the fundamental truth that first really hit me when Joe Giovinazzo passed away - Honoring the memory of one good friend and truly-good person is well worth a lifetime commitment - Whatever it takes.
That is now truer than ever - and I will keep on with The Noble Cause in Wafa and Joe's honor - and in memory of many more family members and friends.
Thank you once again to those of you who have supported me in this effort through the years - friends, family and co-workers. I couldn't have made it to my 24th PMC without your support!
If you'd like to support me in my 2024 personal goal of raising $15,000 for The Jimmy Fund and The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, you can donate on-line by clicking on the DONATE TO MY RIDE tab on this page and following the instructions. My rider number is MD0111. If you'd like to send a check, please make it payable to PMC-Jimmy Fund and mail it to me at:
26 Farm Hills Ln
Hingham, MA 02043
If you have any questions about the PMC or Team FORZA-G, please feel free to drop me an email at mattdillis@gmail.com.
Wishing you health and peace!
Matt
Here are two more ways you can help support the cause of cancer care and research - they will cost you nothing but a bit of your time...
1) Register As A PMC Virtual Rider - I invite you to join me on Team Forza-G as a Virtual Rider for the 2024 PMC. There is no registration fee and no minimum fundraising requirement. As a Virtual Rider, you will be able to create your own PMC Profile page where you can share your story of how cancer has impacted your life. You can create your own personal challenge - a bike ride, a hike, a run, etc. and set your own personal fundraising target.
To Register: https://www.pmc.org/virtual-riders
2) Donate Whole Blood or Platelets -
Platelets are the blood component serving as the body’s “bandages.” They allow blood to clot, helping wounds to heal. Cancer patients, especially leukemia, lymphoma, bone marrow transplant, or stem cell transplant patients, people who have sustained trauma, babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, and many other critically ill patients are at serious risk because their blood does not clot properly. They need transfusions of healthy platelets to control their bleeding. Platelets have an even shorter shelf life than whole blood—just five days. Volunteer donors ensure that there will always be a sufficient supply of platelets for patients in need.
https://www.brighamandwomens.org/patients-and-families/blood-donation/blood-donation-center
More of My PMC Story
My Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) journey started back in 2000. That August my friend and mentor, Joe Giovinazzo, passed away from T-Cell Lymphoma. (That's Joe in my profile picture inset). Joe's passing inspired me to start riding the PMC. 2024 marks my 24th year riding the PMC and my 19th year leading PMC Team Forza-G. The name Forza-G (G-Force in English) is a tribute to Joe. G is so much easier to spell or pronounce than Giovinazzo, and so he always was and is Joe G. Forza or Force refers both to the group or team and to the drive and determination to carry on when the going gets tough.
I will always consider Joe's friendship as one of the greatest blessings and privileges in my life. One of the greatest gifts I have ever received was a phone call and an invitation from Joe's wife, Paula. In his last days, Joe was on life support at Tufts New England Medical Center. Even with everything she was going through at that time, Paula thought to call me to let me know that they would be taking Joe off life support - to give me the opportunity to go in and say my goodbyes.
In that last visit with Joe, with just me and his elderly parents in the room, I really thought about what I consider a couple of fundamental truths: First - No parent should have to watch their child die. Second - Honoring the memory of one truly-good friend and great person is well-worth a lifetime committment. Joe's illness and passing set me on a path to what is now 24 years of riding and fundraising for the PMC. For me this was never about the bike or a one-time, feel-good charity event. From my first PMC in 2001, I always knew I would stay with it until there was no longer a need. As I have said to my Forza-G teammates, I would do anything to change the circumstances that put me on this path in the first place, but since I can't change that, my intention is to do whatever I can to help find cures and to support those living with cancer. This is my vocation - this is my quest.
My Links
PMC Team FORZA-G
Forza-G on Facebook
