This August, riding the Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for cancer research will carry deeply personal and emotional meaning for me. I am riding in honor and memory of my dearest friend, Joe Perkins.

Joe came into my life in the most unexpected and beautiful way. Two years ago, after sending out my neighborhood fundraising letters for the 2023 PMC, I received a love letter and a $100 check from a neighbor I didn’t yet know. The letter was touching—full of heart, memory, and affection. It was from Joe.

Curious about the kind soul behind the letter, I knocked on his door. That day, I met the youngest 88-year-old man I’d ever known—warm, witty, full of life. He told me about his late wife, Carolyn, who had passed away from lung cancer two years earlier. His words were filled with the enduring love of 61 years as he spoke of Carolyn. And in that very first conversation, something clicked. Despite our decades of age difference, different backgrounds, and life paths, we became fast friends.

We discovered so many connections. Joe had attended the Penn Wharton Business School in the 1950s—my daughter is a Penn Wharton student today. He was Jewish, I am Chinese, but we both loved Chinese food. He had served on the board of a major entertainment company, while I work as a business executive in the life sciences sector. We shared a fascination with the ever-changing world of business, and a curiosity that brought our two worlds together.

Since then, Joe became more than a friend. He was my PMC fundraising manager, my biggest cheerleader, and my emotional rock. He didn’t just write checks-$500 last year- he folded over 200 fundraising letters by hand, drove me from street to street to deliver them, and helped me raise over $11,000. On the scorching August 1st weekend, Joe drove from Newton to cheer me on at the PMC midpoint. I was dripping with sweat, but his smile lifted me.

Joe even turned part of his garage into “Michelle’s Bike Pit” and crowned himself my official “Bike Pit Manager.” Thanks to him, my bike was always spotless and race-ready—he made sure I had no excuse not to ride hard.

This year marks my 5th PMC ride, and Joe was more enthusiastic than ever. A month ago, he insisted on being the first BIG donor and personally navigated the PMC website to pledge $1,000. I promised him that I would change my starting point from Sturbridge to Wellesley, so he could see me off in person. We had been planning it together for months.

But just yesterday, life took a heartbreaking turn. My dearest Joe passed away unexpectedly—only two weeks after we celebrated his 90th birthday.

I still can’t believe he’s gone. My heart is heavy, and the tears won’t stop.

Joe, I am still counting on you to drive me around the neighborhood to deliver fundraising letters—this time we will be a super experienced squad.

Joe, I am waiting for you to clean the cassette of my bike, so it will be so shiny like new that my teammates will be envious of me.

Joe, you promised me to print out the biggest photo poster of my head, so every spectator will be jealous of your passion and warmth, proudly displayed.

...

Joe, I don’t know how I’m going to get through the next two months without you. When I ride those 200 miles on August 2nd and 3rd, I know I’ll be crying. Not from the pain of sitting a long time in the saddle, but from the weight of love and loss. I will be riding every mile for you—and for your forever love, Carolyn.

I love you, Joe!

Michelle

June 6, 2025

PMC sends 100% of your tax-deductible donation directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.