I’m thrilled to share that I’m riding in my second Pan-Mass Challenge—an annual bike ride and fundraising event that raises money for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I’m riding in support of Partners In Health’s global cancer care program and in remembrance of family and friends who have received world-class care at DFCI.

For the past four years, I've worked at PIH, a global health and social justice organization that strives to strengthen health systems in 11 countries around the world. PIH and Dana Farber’s Center for Global Cancer Medicine work together to provide cancer care in under-resourced settings to patients who otherwise would have no chance of surviving their diagnosis. Together, they've helped establish high-quality cancer programs in both Haiti and Rwanda over the past 11+ years. Our team of nurses, physicians, pathologists, nursing assistants, surgeons, and technicians work tirelessly to strengthen the programs and services available.

I'd like to thank everyone who generously contributed to my first PMC ride last year. This year, as we ensure access to cancer care to even more patients, we are hoping to raise funds to support:

• A National Baseline Cancer Training Program in Rwanda
  • PIH will build and deliver this training program to clinicians at all 40 district hospitals across Rwanda. This will increase the awareness and early detection of cancer to facilitate accurate and timely referrals of patients to designated oncology centers.

• An oncology research assistant based in Haiti
  • There is a glaring lack of oncology research happening in low-income countries and PIH is committed to shifting this paradigm and advocating for more global investment in cancer care.

As Ekip Onkoloji (Haitian Creole for oncology team), we are a group of riders committed to addressing cancer in some of the most resource-poor areas of the world. With more than half of the global cancer burden occurring in low-and middle-income countries—yet only 5% of resources are being used there—PIH and Dana Farber are attempting to bridge the gap between those who have access to care and those who don’t. Although there has been progress, this gap is enormous and a cancer diagnosis is still a death sentence for far too many.

My personal goal is to raise a minimum of $3,000 to bolster the delivery of cancer care in Rwanda and Haiti. I will be riding 100 miles over two days in August. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to PIH’s oncology programs and our patients. Please join me in the global fight against cancer by donating on the top left of my PMC page - any amount makes a big difference.

Thank you for considering supporting me, Ekip Onkoloji, and most importantly, patients in Haiti and Rwanda who will benefit from your solidarity and generosity.

Patrick