This year, I’m proud to ride in my very first Pan-Mass Challenge as a member of Team Biker’s Dozen. I’m riding for my family and friends who have been affected by this awful disease, and for the countless others who continue to fight.

Cancer has touched the lives of so many people I care about. This ride is my way of honoring them, remembering those we’ve lost, and helping to fund the research and treatment that will lead us to a cure.

Biker’s Dozen has raised over $5 million – which has been designated to support the research for two types of pediatric brain tumors, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG) and Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytomas (PLGA) at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These funds have helped attract a level of scientific talent and a degree of focus on these diseases in the brain tumor research community that few thought possible. We chose to support this particular cancer because of a personal team loss and because this research only exists on private funding — there is no federal funding, no National Institute of Health funding and no pharmaceutical funding. Your dollars are having a huge impact and are making a difference.

Every mile I ride supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and every donation—no matter the size—makes a real difference. Thank you for being part of this journey with me!