I would like to send a huge THANK YOU to all my supporters from my previous Pan-Mass rides in 2013, 2015, 2017 2019, and 2021! Riding and fundraising for the PMC is an intimidating commitment, but thankfully the support of my friends and family has allowed me to return for my fourth PMC ride alongside my uncle, Glenn and our friend Craig…
I invite you to read the story of why I first decided to ride in 2013:
“Sometimes I wonder, who you'd be today.” For those of you who know me, it’s probably no surprise that I began my story with a quote from a country song. The truth is, this quote is a pretty good summary of why I have decided to take on the Pan Mass Challenge.
Kyle Petrarca Johnson was my fun, soccer-playing, Pokémon-loving cousin. Kyle was a best friend to my brother, and an idol to his brother Sam. Unfortunately, a brain tumor took our precious friend away from us in 2001.
Kyle was only two years older than me, and as I decide what I want to do with my life I often find myself wondering what path Kyle would have chosen. What would Kyle have picked as a major? What would his dream job have been? Which college would he have ended up at? Unfortunately all I can do is wonder, all because of a thing called cancer, who he’d be today.
I am riding in memory of Kyle. I am riding to rid the world of a disease that impacts people's lives the way it does. I am riding because I can.
Fundraising is something I have grown familiar with in the past 10 years. I have been a part of “Kyle’s Krew” since I was in 2nd grade. Kyle’s Krew has been through it all… from the Ride for Research, to the Kyle P. Johnson Memorial Open. I watched my friends and family take the time to plan, organize, and fundraise their way through 10 golf tournaments -- all to raise money for The Jimmy Fund. Now it’s my turn to make my mark. I will be riding the two-day, 192 mile route from Sturbridge to Provincetown. My goal for my first year doing the Pan Mass is to hit the $4,300 mark (holy cow right?!?!). From $5 to $500, any donations you make will further the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure. Thank you for joining me in my efforts to fight this horrible disease. Here’s to a world without cancer!
-Michela Salvucci
KYLE PETRARCA JOHNSON: JUNE 11, 1992--JULY 5, 2001
