Hello Family & Friends,

Many of you know that my only sister, Maria, died of cancer. She was just 19 when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease and began treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). The treatments she received allowed her to live cancer free for another 10 years, until she lost her second battle in 1991.

We knew the doctors at DFCI did everything they could, including a bone marrow transplant. We knew that she was so fortunate to be treated at one of the best cancer centers in the world. That remains true to this day.

The pain of losing my only sister will never go away. However, I cherish all the memories we created, especially during the 10 years between her battles.

Looking back at how many things in my life have changed, I often get sad thinking about what she missed and is missing. Things like meeting my husband, Ed. Loving her nieces and nephews. Countless birthday and holiday celebrations and most importantly the special bond that sisters share.

But I am grateful. My sister got something that not everyone gets. She got incredible treatment. She got hope for a cure. She got more time. We got 10 more years of experiences & memories. This is why I support the Pan Mass Challenge.

My involvement with the PMC began a few years after Maria died. I was working in my family’s business, Farina’s Bicycle Center, and heard about the charity whose primary goal was to fund research and treatment for patients battling cancer via a bicycle ride across the state of Massachusetts. So, for the past 25+ years, I have personally outfitted and volunteered to support hundreds of people who train and fundraise to participate in this incredible event. Each & every August, I watch thousands of people get on their bikes and ride together for 190+ miles over 2 days to celebrate life, remember those who did not survive and offer hope for a cure to those facing cancer.

Since the PMC began in 1980, it has raised over $654 million for research and treatments at Dana Farber. Next week, more than 6700 people will ride to reach this year’s fundraising goal of $60 million.

This August, in addition to being behind the scenes offering support to those who ride, I will join them and ride my 1st PMC in memory of Maria. It is sure to be a very emotional weekend for me as I pedal for many hours thinking about my sister, my brothers Dino & Mike who are cancer survivors, and many family members and close friends who have been affected by cancer.

In a special way, I will also be remembering my mother in law, Phyllis, who was such a special person with incredible strength & courage. This year marks 25 years since she lost her battle with breast cancer, at the age of 52, just 6 months before Ed and I got married. Like so many others, she did not have time on her side.

I want to do my part to help cancer patients and their loved ones get more time together, whether that comes as days, months, years or lifetimes. My experiences remind me of one thing: EVERY additional day matters. Every additional day for a cancer patient is a gift.

On August 3 & 4, I will ride with Ed, (whose friendship and support of me just after my sister died led us to a life together), my brother Dino (who was treated at DFCI 30 years ago for lymphoma and is alive today because of those treatments) and our good friend Jerome DuBois (who lost his mother a few years ago to cancer).

Any donation towards my PMC fundraising goal of $5000 will be very much appreciated. I will update you after my ride.

Thanks for your support.

Paula