This year, I will be riding 200 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown as a part of the Pan Mass Challenge.

I will be riding as a member of Team Captain Sunshine - a team in honor of John Walsh who passed in November 2023 from Cancer. John was a special man whose positivity sparked the nickname Captain Sunshine. John's son Coleman is a dear friend of mine and started the team to honor his father and support others going through similar battles at Dana Farber.

Last year, when Coleman was organizing year 1 of Team Captain Sunshine, my wife (Nora) was diagnosed with a genetic condition that greatly elevates her risk of cancer. She will require multiple screenings per year and almost certainly need multiple surgeries to keep her cancer free.

In the past year, Nora has been receiving world class care and support at Dana Farber. As we prepare to welcome our first child in October - I can't put into words how grateful I am for the team at Dana Farber for keeping the most important person in the world to me healthy.

I have quickly learned how important Dana Farber is to those fighting cancer - and the PMC is a key pillar of their fundraising. I am riding these 200 miles to support an institution that my family will now forever be involved with.

See below for some words from Coleman on the inspiration for Team Captain Sunshine - his Dad - John Walsh:

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To know my dad was to both love him and be loved by him. My dad treated everyone like the most important person in the room regardless of who they were. He led with love and hope in his mission to leave the world in a better place than he found it for me and everyone to come.

John himself would say “Don’t agonize, organize.” The Pan-Mass Challenge is an opportunity to honor John's zeal and belief in organizing for the common good, no matter the cause or the cost. I ride for John, I ride for other dear friends who have lost parents to the disease, and I ride for my own loved ones who were taken and currently battling cancer.

Team Captain Sunshine is based on a nickname given to John because of his unwavering optimism. My personal goal is to raise $6,000 and ride 196 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown in early August. We can use any help you can give!