Another year around the sun, it is going so fast and the PMC always arrives with the first weekend in August! In February, it seems like forever until we will be riding again and now it's August and the PMC is less than 2 weeks away. I have clocked almost 500 training rides this season, not too many long ones....but, the excuses are irrelevant, come August 2nd I will be back on my bike participating in my 22nd PMC!
I am thrilled to report that this year I will be riding the PMC for my 8th year along with Jocelyn riding for her 22nd year, my sister in law Melissa riding for 25 YEARS!!!, Matthew and Marlee’s boyfriend Matt are riding the PMC for their second year and our newest rider Melissa’s son Max will be on the road for the first time. Marlee, Talia, Talia’s friend Hallie Gordon, and Matt’s girlfriend Liv Hornik are again all volunteering to support the riders at the Mass Maritime campus which is the location of the first days finish of the PMC. To say this is a family affair is an understatement and after the passing of Jocelyn’s dad Buddy, and the passing of my beautiful mom Adrienne, this journey will NEVER end until we find a cure for cancer.
Cancer isn't slowing down, so we need to keep fighting. If you have supported me in the past...you probably don't need to read any further. If you haven't - here is my story and how I got on this journey and why I remain so committed to the cause. As many of you know, my sisters in laws first husband Perry passed away in 1999 after a short battle with cancer of the small bowel. It is hard to believe that it was 25 years ago, July 4th weekend that Perry and Melissa sat in his hospital room to learn of his diagnosis – the entire family was devastated. Melissa, Perry, Jocelyn and I were married in a double wedding less than 2 years and he was the picture of health! We knew it would be a hard road but Perry was a fighter and we had every reason to believe he would beat it. Four months later, he was gone. It is still unthinkable that Perry, a marathon runner and tri-athlete, lost his life at the age of 32.
Perry gave us some very special and significant gifts during his life and with his passing. First, he gave everyone he met his passion for life and his love and when you are loved you can do ANYTHING! Second, he gave us his incredible spirit of competition and drive and therefore this mission has transcended all aspects of our lives. Melissa is married to an incredible man Joshua Jacoby and has two beautiful boys Max (20) and Ryan (17) Our family takes this “ride” and mission VERY seriously. Melissa leads our team that has which has raised cumulatively in excess of 10 million dollars! Melissa is an absolute ROCK STAR! It is no small feat to manage a team of 50-70 riders who raise hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
We have supported many amazing doctors over the past several years and in 2017 our 2005 Fellow was named the new Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Dana Farber! If this isn't proof of how our fundraising has made a difference, I don't know what is!! Our 2025 fellow has proven to be just as impressive as his predecessors! Dr. Asaf Maoz, who grew up in Haifa, Israel and joined DFCI in 2024. His research focuses on the detection and prevention of hereditary cancers and the treatment of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.
Ok ... so here it comes. Please GIVE and please know that no amount is too small, I really mean that. http://www.pmc.org/profile/MD0416
They've made it easy - click the Donate to My Ride button to the right and help us make a difference in the fight against cancer. If you would prefer to donate by check - please make it payable to PMC-Jimmy Fund and send it to my home at 9 Vincent Lane Armonk, NY 10504
With incredible gratitude,
Mike
P.S. To learn more about our impact check us out at teamperrypmc.com
