Dear Family and Friends,
Once again, I am looking forward to PMC weekend this year. This will be my 14th year riding as part of TEAM NUDAY starting back in 2010. This year I am riding with my brother Chip on the 110-mile route from Sturbridge to Bourne MA on Saturday, August 2nd. This is the last year our ride starts in Sturbridge as next year we're excited to move to Worcester (Holy Cross). I was hesitant to ride this year but ultimately feel its important to continue raising funds for research into this awful disease. You ride for family, friends and everyone impacted by cancer. My father Norm. My father-in-law George. My brother-in-laws Scott and Doug. Scott’s father Leonard. So many others. That’s one of the the main reasons I started to ride.
My personal journey with this disease started in May 2022. I had my annual physical and got my normal blood tests done. Everything was good except my PSA came back in an “elevated” range. Nothing to worry about the doctor said we’ll retest in a couple months. That followup test came back in July (still in an elevated range-actually down slightly). Still not a big deal. Let’s refer you to a Urologist. Okay just to be sure we’ll have a MRI done. The MRI comes back with a diagnosis of “clinically significant” cancer detected in the prostate area. Michaela and I found out before meeting with the doctor since test results are published online these days. The biopsy a few weeks later confirms the cancer diagnosis. You go through a range of emotions (anger, worry, sadness, anxiety, concern). It hit me hard. A few months later (October 2022) another scan confirms that the cancer has already metastasized into my lymph nodes. We were devastated by this news. We had all these plans for the future. We need to tell the kids. Talk to our families. What’s the plan now?
Luckily I am being treated at Mass General Cancer Center and have the love and support of people around me. I had my prostate surgery in December 2022 and then started cancer treatments in January 2023. Over the next several months tests confirm my PSA decreased significantly and blood tests show relatively low impacts from the medications. In October 2023 a followup scan showed the cancer that initially spread to my lymph nodes was undetectable. More good news is that my PSA is also at an undetectable level. A little over six months ago I started a treatment holiday which has allowed me to go off the medications for now. I know the journey is not over as I will continue getting tested and take it one day at a time. This is why I will continue to ride as long as possible. I reached a level of acceptance that my disease may be chronic, but have hope that I can live long into the future. Again, this is why we ride. To keep living (Living Proof).
We are inviting you to be part of TEAM NUDAY and raise money for this worthy cause that has deeply impacted our family. This year 100% of the $76M in rider-raised revenue will go directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure. TEAM NUDAY has committed to raise $15,000 this year, but we would love to exceed that goal again. Its very fulfilling to be part of this event to continue raising money and awareness for this year and many years to come.
In Good Health
Mark
PMC Living Proof Rider
Thanks to everyone for your support! We’re all in this ride together.
**NOTE: Donations accepted through September 30, 2025
My Links
TEAM NUDAY
Facebook Fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/donate/608226371410649
