The Pan Mass Challenge, a bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country, is just two weeks away, August 2nd and 3rd. I’ll be volunteering during the weekend as part of the Transportation Crew. On Friday afternoon, I’ll pick up a van, equip it with two bike racks capable of carrying six bikes, load a cooler and first aid kit, and get ready for an early Saturday start. If the weather stays cool and dry, it should be an easy weekend. But if it’s anything like the last couple of years with heat indexes soaring past 100 degrees, it’s going to be a busy couple of days.

This marks my third-year volunteering in addition to five years as a rider. As many of you know, I had total knee replacement surgery in 2023, and unfortunately, the recovery didn’t go as well as hoped. I kept raising funds for the PMC with the belief that I’d return as a rider. Now, two years post-surgery, it’s clear that won’t happen. Initially, I planned to continue volunteering quietly and not ask for donations, especially since so many of you already support multiple riders.

Then I heard about Team Crank. By joining this group of riders, even as a volunteer, every donation I raise is matched dollar for dollar by the Warren Alpert Foundation. That means a $120 donation becomes $240, and a $250 donation turns into $500. When I realized how much of an impact this could have on fundraising for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, I knew I had to ask for your support.

While I won’t be riding, sweating and aching, I’ll be out there supporting those who are, driving between Sturbridge and Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne on Saturday, and then across the Cape to Provincetown on Sunday.

We’ve all heard of six degrees of separation; with cancer, it’s more like two. It touches nearly everyone. So, I ask you to please grab a credit card and make as generous a donation as you can. 100% of the money the Pan Mass Challenge raises goes to Dana Farber to fund life -saving research and treatment. And this year, your gift can have twice the impact.

Thank you so much for your continued support.