I'm a 13th year (now virtual) rider in the PMC because it is again 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 commitment to finding a cure. I have chosen to challenge myself in this way to make a stronger commitment to the millions of people who are challenged every day by this cruel, and often relentless disease.
In my 39 years as a registered nurse at the Massachusetts General Hospital, I cared for tens of thousands of patients struggling to beat some form of cancer. More personally, my family has been hit hard by this disease. My father, Robert, died of prostate cancer in 1991, 2 years after diagnosis; my wife Jeanne had a brief, scary brush with breast cancer in 2001, and is now free from recurrence, as did my sister Barbara, who was treated successfully for breast cancer in 2007; a wonderful mother-in-law whose life was cut short by leukemia in 2000; two brothers- in- law, one now a prostate cancer survivor, and another whose life was taken by lung cancer. Even among my close friends, 3 men have had to face-off against this disease. I could go on.......
11 years ago I encountered one of my biggest obstacles when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Like my father, it was a very aggressive form, but Stage 1. After a radical prostatectomy in February of 2014, I was cancer free and completed my 2014 Ride stronger than ever!
For 2025 I am fundraising as a Virtual Rider again, after suffering a stroke in March 2018. However, I feel the need to keep challenging myself. As a cancer survivor, I feel it is my responsibility to carry on the fight of those who have lost their lives to this disease, and for those who will have to confront Cancer in the years to come. I am no longer able to ride my bicycle, but I am still working hard to regain my strength to ride.
I would appreciate your support with whatever donation you can afford, or your prayers and wishes for a safe and successful Virtual ride for me and over 6,000 other riders who will embark on this shared Virtual journey.
