When I first heard about the fundraising bike-a-thon in honor of my friend Jobie, who passed away from brain cancer at age 22, I wasn't sure I was up to the task. The ride is 162 miles over two days. I've never been on a bike for more than two hours. But then I remembered how hard Jobie fought to get well, all that she went through with her illness, and the impact she had on me and so many others. It no longer felt like a choice. And so, I've signed up for the Pan Mass Challenge, a fundraising ride benefiting the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in treatment with a mission of working towards curing all cancers.
I ride for Jobie, the kindest and brightest light who I was incredibly lucky to call my friend. Funny, spunky, and upapologetically herself, she was one-of-a-kind, the type of friend everyone wants by their side. Sweet Jobie passed away in the summer of 2023 after a brave two year fight with an aggressive form of brain cancer. I take on this challenge for her.
On August 3rd, 2024 I will ride 162 miles over two days alongside Jobie’s dad and brother to raise money for the Jobie Project at Dana-Farber. It's a research fund specifically looking at understanding the evolution of low grade NF1 related tumors to high grade astrocytomas, which is what Jobie had. They are looking at the CDKN2A/B as a prospective culprit and using a CRISPR methodoloy. Jobie had five mutations in her tumor, which is super rare and fatal and demonstrates how complex these tumors are. Funding this research will help get us closer to understanding these tumors and how to best treat them.
In addition to losing Jobie, cancer has hit close to home in my family. My grandma momo just passed away after a courageous 19 month battle to pancreatic cancer in April of 2024, and my grandfather, who we called GP, passed away from colon cancer in 2017. Additionally, as a future nurse, I know how crucial it is to fund important research and move the needle towards finding a cure. I am proud to be part of something dedicated to supporting those who go through this unfathomable experience.
I know this ride will be challenging in more ways than one, but knowing it is all for an incredible cause, that I have so many people supporting me, and thinking about Jobie and all that she went through gives me the confidence that I can do this.
My fundraising goal is no small feat, so any amount you can donate is so appreciated. I am deeply grateful in advance for your support and moving us all towards finding a cure.
Love, Rosie
