5/4/2021 UPDATE

Dear Friends and Family,

2021 is my tenth year riding the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC). I do the two-day, 192-mile bike ride from Sturbridge, MA to Provincetown, MA. Your generous support over the years helped me raise over $64,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston; this year I want to go over $75,000! The ride is in August; due to the pandemic I'm doing the ride with several friends instead of the normal 5,000 plus riders. We did the ride safely last year and hopefully this year goes well too.

I am also a member of the Patriots Platelet Pedalers team, and we raise money specifically for Dr. Ken Anderson, the Kraft Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Last year we again raised over $1,000,000 to support his multiple myeloma research and development of novel therapies. While the team fundraising is restricted to this research, Dr. Anderson explains that our fund raising helps more than just those diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Here is a quote from him several years ago:

Last year was a banner year in myeloma, with FDA approval of seven new myeloma treatments. These treatments were evaluated and validated in our laboratory, and FDA approval clinical trials were also led by our team. Our ongoing research and new findings in myeloma are continuing to further help not only patients with myeloma, but also patients with solid tumors like breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer. For example, our vaccines to stimulate an immune response against myeloma are now similarly being evaluated in women with breast cancer. The ability to develop long-term immunity against your own cancer, just as you do after childhood vaccination against infection, may provide very durable responses in cancer. Moreover, whole new classes of medicines are being developed in our Center that could enhance this immune response. Finally, a most exciting first-in-class of medicines is being developed to turn on the cancer cells' own disposal system to degrade or dispose of those proteins in cancer cells that allow them to grow and survive. None of these advances would happen without the Patriots Platelet Pedalers heartfelt commitment and support. We and all of our patients are inspired by and most grateful for all that you do to help!!

Like many New England families, ours has been touched by the excellent care provided by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country. This success is the result of many people riding for, and caring about, a cure. And because every penny matters, 100 percent of your donation goes to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Would you accept my challenge by donating?

Best regards,

--Mark Kacprowicz (Rider ID: MK0209)

Your donation is tax deductible and 100% will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. To donate on-line, please click the following links:

- Profile Page: http://pmc.org/MK0209
- Donation Page: https://donate.pmc.org/MK0209

If you prefer to write a check, please make it out to the PMC, The Jimmy Fund or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and mail it to me directly at:

Mark Kacprowicz

9 Eisenhower Avenue

Natick, MA 01760

My Links

Patriots Platelet Pedalers