The 2025 PMC will be my 32nd year riding in this inspiring event. It is truly one of the highlights of my annual calendar, something I look forward to for months and greatly miss when it is over. I started riding in 1994 with my brother-in-law and several friends.
I have been putting the names of people I ride for on a shirt, which I wear after the second day of the ride. The list of friends and family includes cancer survivors, people who have lost their battle with cancer and others who are still battling with it. In my first year, there were six names on my shirt. This year there will be over 180 names on my shirt. I am dedicating my ride this year to Joan Monahan and Gert Tinney, two of my wife's aunts, who died in the past year from cancer.
This will be my eleventh year riding on Team ACT. The team was put together in memory of Andy Tarnell, a friend, fellow PMC rider, and husband of one of my colleagues at Dedham Medical. Andy died in 2015 ago after a courageous struggle with lung cancer. I am honored to be riding with this team, which includes all three of Andy's kids and several of his closest friends.
Every person I ride for, listed below, represents a story of courage- Mark Dyke, Mark Swayne, Jackie Hines, Holly Scott, John Macko, Lawry Kaplan, Mary Craig, Bill Craig, Auguste Cross, Peter Scarafile, Zoran Hochstatter, Ken Allen, Harry Zysman, Bob Stanton, Ephraim Mendoza, Dan Valluzzi, Jack Hanney, Nancy and Greg Scott, Nancy Serrell, Betsy Morris, Bill Toppi, Connie Gill, James Walsh, Joann Skelley, Ray Sawyer, Michael Delaura, Nick Morizio, John Cancellieri, Jack Sullivan, Rich Russo, MaryLu Shoemaker, Adele Keeley, Betty Scala, Joan Monahan, Larry Snow, Sheila Pelser, Cheryl Lopez, Ron Dyer, Andy Tarnell, Theresa Ming-Barrows, George Huntoon, Mary Driscoll, Ellen Perley, Nicki McMahon, Maureen Dwyer, Corinne Milgrim, Jane Swayne, Carol Haladyna, Glenn Krumel, Dr. Dave Blom, Sandy Garber, Amanda Cox, Tim McCarthy, Dave Harris, Maura Barrows, Karen Silva, Jerry Frank, James Griffith, Alex Lee, Eileen Kelly, Ed Querner, Dr. John Goodman, Stephen Thompson, Gertrude Tinney, Dr. Bill Curwen, Mauria Falcone, Rosemarie Boyden, Paul Boyden, Charlie Mulcahy, Annabel MacKay, Alyce Prosser, Frances Shirley, Dolores Anderson, Larry Dobb, Helen Rochelle, Ann Hession, Dr. Robert Osborne, Bob McQueeney, Patty Bengtson, Eris Wood, Michael Hayes, Cindy Flaherty, Callum Mendoza, Charlotte Linehan, Jack Harward, Cindy Harward, Mary Ann Harward, Dr. Louis Wislocki, Joyce DeLoca, Pat Gaudet, Sheila Driscoll, Dr. Luisa Stigol, Patty Ann Paquin, Ellie Rooney, Joseph Querner-my dad, Dr. Deb Jonas, Daniel P. Driscoll, Katherine Owens, Haydn Owens, Sara Jondro, Dr. Paul Kassab, Madeline Grunbaum, Ed Lenox, Paul Udden, Dr. John Derry, Terri Ray, Mary Puopolo, Martha Kirsche, Dr. Edwin Carter, John McMahon, Doris Downey, Bruce Hicks, Joe Harris, Bev Rothfield, Lee Ann Cancellieri, Dick Gately, Nancy Clagg, Jill Crowell, Paul Collins, Joe Downey, John Richardson, Rose Mancini, Joan Sullivan, Ana Maria Pereira, Antoinette Piazza, Kathy Sullivan, John Scanlon, Robin Abrams, Ginny Shaw, Bess Kelliher, Joe Griffith, Joan White, Buddy Hatch, Dave Perry, Elvira Poder, Andrea Lederfine, Carol Joress, Karen Noelle, Gloria Kahler, Doris Horrigan, Richard F. Russo, Dennis Gambon, Dr. Liz Foley, Justin Kavka, Janet Humble, Arthur Flynn, Donny Higgins, Rosemary Conte, Linda Izzo, Dr. Betsy Kontoleon, Diana Abdelahad, Mary Gallagher, Sharon and Dave Johnson.
My expanding list of names is a constant reminder that much work (and much riding) still needs to be done to reach our goal of eradicating cancer. I can not think of a better organization and cause to support in these efforts than the PMC. In 2024, thanks to the support from so many people, I was able to raise over $16,500. I hope to raise $17,000 this year
Thank you so much for your support.
