Update # 1 – July 11, 2024 (22 days until the #PMC2024 #WhyIPMC)
FUNDRAISING: Thank you all for your support. So far, I have raised $8,891.00, exceeding my initial goal of $6,000. Since I have now committed to riding an additional 70 miles the day before the PMC for a total of 262 miles, I am raising fundraising goal to $10,000.
MY STORY UPDATE: I am really happy to share with you a story full of hope about Dana-Farber as conveyed by our Vermont neighbor, Tami Jackson, whose husband Todd is currently undergoing treatment there:
“Todd was diagnosed July 2022. He was 57, healthy, active and cancer was NEVER on his radar. Todd has a very aggressive form of multiple myeloma. He began treatments with chemo and a bone marrow rejuvenation but the cancer returned 3 months later. He also struggled with tumors, radiation, ineffective chemotherapies, and multiple hospital stays with covid and pneumonia. Dana Farber suggested CAR T Therapy. Todd was so tired and felt so defeated from the ineffective therapies, so he was skeptical and scared but hopeful. Dana Farber collected the cells, where they are sent to a lab and genetically modified to fight his cancer cells. We returned to Boston for a 5 week stay and after a 3-day dose of chemo and Car T cells reinfused, Todd’s multiple myeloma cells are now undetectable. For the first time is 2 years, I hear and see hope in Todd’s voice and eyes. We are grateful Dana Farber continues to lead the way with these new treatments to support our loved ones and to give them a good life. We’ve really come to appreciate Boston!”
2024 Ready to ride again!!
Thank you to all who supported me for prior PMCs.
This August, I look forward to riding for the first time since 2019. I am motivated by the loss of two close family members to cancer. In 2017, we lost Mia’s mom, Mio, five months after her diagnosis. Mio always thought I was crazy to ride in this event given how grueling it is to train in the summer heat, but she always supported me. In June of 2018, my sister-in-law, Laurie lost her fight to breast cancer, at age 51. I am motivated to take on this challenge to raise funds to battle cancer and honor the memory of Mio and Laurie.
I did my first ride in 1992 and have ridden it 14 times since. The PMC was really what sparked my love for riding. In 2007, shortly after completing the PMC, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. Fortunately, it was in its early stage and it was completely removed with surgery. I was even back riding the PMC again in 2008. The PMC benefits the Jimmy Fund, which donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer institute and is its largest single contributor. This years goal is to reach a total of $1 billion raised since 1980.
Please support us and the Jimmy Fund by donating to the PMC. You can donate online to my account at http://www.pmc.org/egifts/PE0001 or by mailing a check made out to Pan Mass Challenge to me at P.O. Box 766, West Dover, VT 05356.
Here’s to your good health!
With my sincerest gratitude for your consideration,
Pete Edwards