It's not easy for me to ask for donations. It never has been. I know we all have our family needs and special causes and we work so hard for the money we earn and so it is difficult to ask you for a donation to my special cause.

But today, I am asking.

And here is why. My sister Karyn was just like you and me. Working hard to take care of her family, volunteering at school and church. Loving her husband and children.

Grateful. Blessed. Happy. Unsuspecting.

At the age of 34, having recently had her 2nd child (her daughter Maggie), Karyn started having back pain. She went to her doctor who dismissed it as just carrying around the kids too much. But the pain continued until the point where Karyn had to sit up to sleep because it hurt too much to lie down. Back to the doctor again - this time the doctor agreed to x-rays.

The results were devastating.

Karyn was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer that had already spread over her body and organs and bones. She was 34 years old with a 6 month old baby girl and a 2 year old son, Brendan, and a wonderful husband, Jeff, and a 20% chance to live 5 more years.

It breaks my heart to write this.

She lived 4 more years. And I believe there were 2 reasons that allowed her to spend that time with her family:

First her unbelievable strength and love and positivity and courage and desire to see her children grow up.

And second because of the research and work at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. A world leader in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research.

I am asking you to donate because I know that it makes a difference. And I know that your money - that you have worked so hard for - will NOT be wasted on overhead or marketing but EVERY CENT will go toward helping another young mother or father or child live longer

Having never owned or ridden a road bike before, I'm going to ride this 2-day challenge for Karyn. And I'm asking you to support this cause by donating. Last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went DIRECTLY to support the commitment to finding a cure.

So thank you for the very smallest amount. Thank you for allowing me to ask you and taking the time to read why this cause is so important to me. One last note: When Karyn was ill - just a couple weeks before she left us - the Boston Globe did a story on her and posted a video of Karyn and her family I invite you to watch so you can meet her for yourself:  http://archive.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/08/23/dying_auburn_woman_creates_video_memories_to_last_beyond_a_lifetime/