I don’t think anyone could have anticipated what the first six months of 2020 would take us through – a pandemic, economic uncertainty, and a global response to racial inequity. Looking back to January, I had just signed up for my second PMC ride for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In March, as I planned to launch a March Madness fundraising effort, COVID-19 cases multiplied rapidly and the virus affected people in our communities and across the world in devastating ways. Over the past month, following the visibility of police brutality toward people of color, communities have come together to fight for justice that is much overdue.

This period has demonstrated how our systems of public health and justice have been built in ways that discount the needs of communities of color. And yet, I remain hopeful. We have seen firsthand how the power of people uniting can make extraordinary things possible. That’s why I am reaching out to you today.

This year, I want to direct funds raised to the Cancer Care Equity Program led by Dr. Christopher Lathan. This program aims to broaden access to vulnerable patient populations and join our community partners in the quest for equitable care across the spectrum of cancer-related disease (https://www.dana-farber.org/research/departments-centers-and-labs/departments-and-centers/cancer-care-equity-program/). Without the resources to detect and combat cancer, those most vulnerable have an increased risk of death. The conversations our country has been having about systemic racism extend to cancer treatment and care of the Black population. Join me by making a donation to support this effort!

Additional Note: I have been listening and learning. This ride is one way I am supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. I am aware that cycling has been viewed as a white person’s sport, and I realized I don’t often see people of color cycling in Boston and racism is probably the reason why. I’m looking for ways to address the racial divide (I’m open to insight and suggestions).