Dear Family and Friends,

First of all, thank you to each and everyone of you have generously donated to my PMC Ride in the past. Your support has been truly appreciated. This will be my 11th year riding and I will be completing the 2 day 165 mile trek from Wellesley to Bourne for Team LUNGSTRONG. This ride in particular will be an emotional one for me, it is with a very heavy heart as our Team will be riding without the leadership of Diane Legg, founder of Team LUNGSTRONG. Diane passed away on 12/30/2024 after her courageous 20 year battle with Lung Cancer. I miss Diane every single day! While she fought this insidious disease, Diane advocated for Lung Cancer Awareness and the need for funding, which has been consistently overlooked, both on Beacon Hill and Washington, D.C. Diane founded Shine-a-Light on Lung Cancer in Boston in order to raise awareness worldwide. Diane was a loving wife sharing her journey with fellow LUNGSTRONG rider and advocate Dave and was a wonderful mother raising three remarkable young men. Diane was a sister, aunt and a dear friend to those who where fortunate enough to meet her. This year I will ride for Diane! This photo is of Diane and I at the start of my first PMC ride 11 years ago.

I'm also riding for my Dad, Bobby Graff, who passed away in May 2003 of Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer due to exposure to Asbestos. Unfortunately, my dad only survived 1 year after his diagnosis. I miss my Dad every day and my hope is that with continued research through the PMC we can extend the lives of individuals facing this horrific disease.  Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, killing more Americans each year than the next top four cancer killers (Breast, Prostate, Colon and Pancreatic), yet it contiues to be the least funded relative to its mortality rate. More that 60% of those diagnosedwith lung cancer never smoked, or no longer smke and haven't for decades. 

I understand how many families are feeling challenged financially, no donation is too small and 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to funding cancer research for the Thoracic Oncology Program at Dana Farber. Every donation brings us closer by the mile. As Dr. Ed Benz of Dana Farber put it, 'When they write the book on how cancer was conquered, the PMC will be Chapter One!'

Thank you all so very much for considering to donate!

MaryEllen Graff