This year I’m so excited to be riding in my third Pan-Mass Challenge alongside my boyfriend, Ben Woodruff, on Team Wheelin’ for Woody. After an unforgettable first PMC in 2016, Ben decided to organize Team Wheelin’ for Woody in memory of his father, Doug Woodruff, who courageously lost his battle to colon cancer in March 1999. Ben’s hard work and passion for the cause inspired me to join him in the PMC and I'm so glad I did. I could talk about my PMC experience for hours: the bus ride to Sturbridge, the late-night Burger King, the chamois butter, the torrential downpours, the second day on the Cape, and the sweet sip of Harpoon at the end. But the most inspiring parts of the weekend are in the stories and laughs shared along the route and the camaraderie of more than 5,000 people working toward a common goal: to cure cancer.
I am dedicating my ride to my grandparents, Susan and Bill Schilling, who each fought their own battles with cancer at different points in their lives. Sadly, they both passed away in 2016 and we miss them every single day. The PMC is a great opportunity for me to keep their spirit alive and I know that their strength, resilience, and unconditional love is the wind beneath my wings pushing me through this two day, 192-mile journey. While the training is tough, the hills that we face are nothing compared to what so many people endure on a daily basis as they fight this terrible disease.
I am a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless effort to finding a cure. I have made a personal commitment to ride and raise $5,000 and I hope you all can help me achieve this goal by contributing to our team. I truly believe that one day we will live in a cancer-free world and I will continue to help until we reach that goal. All donations are greatly appreciated!
I can’t wait for another amazing PMC weekend with Ben, our families, friends, and all of our amazing Wheelin’ for Woody teammates. Thank you so much for your support and I hope to see many of you along the Pan-Mass Challenge route on August 3rd and 4th 2019!
