Dear Friends, 7/1/24

As I approached 40 I made what felt like a momentous decision to ride the PMC. At that time my biggest fan, my hubby, and two dear friends joined me.

I was wrapping up my 30’s, the decade where I became a mother (twice!), moved our home (twice!) had breast cancer (twice!), and had too many surgeries - procedures - tests to count. During this time both of my sisters were tackling similar breast cancer challenges. The three children of our father who we lost much too early, to *his* battle with breast cancer thirty years ago. I was just a girl about Penny's age when he was first diagnosed. I had a front seat, hands on view to this horrendous disease as it drains life without regard to age, wellness, fairness or love. So I signed up for the PMC and embraced the PMC tagline, “commit and you’ll figure it out”. Here we are ten rides later, my biggest fan riding each one by my side and three more dear friends joining us this year as I approach my 50’s! This year we are adding day zero, starting our ride at the NY border, making it a true Pan-Mass Challenege.

The PMC also has a special category for riders like me called “livingproof”. I have leaned into this over the past ten years with immense gratitude, not only to still be kicking around with all of you but also thriving and playing bikes with my husband and friends. Riding my bike hundreds of miles in the name of fundraising for one of the best cancer hospitals in the country feels like the embodiment of livingproof and a testament for the success Dana Farber can bring to families.

Each year cancer touches me in new ways as it does for all of us. This year, deep in my heart, I am holding our dear friends baby son who is fighting leukemia. He and our pedal partner Norma Rose, a preteen girl fighting a brain tumor who we have come to know over the past two years, will give me wings over those hills. We all greatly appreciate any donations you share.

I’ll ride the miles, will you please support us? Any donation is helpful. <3

Lots of love,

Margie