We are riding for Sally again this year. Sally, who is turning 20-years old, has been battling cancer since she was 10. She was originally diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. Osteosarcoma afflicts only 600 children each year in the US, or less than 5% of all pediatric cancers. These past few months have been particularly challenging for Sally: In October, a CT scan found a large mass in Sally's lower chest wall, about the size of a grapefruit. The tumor grew significantly over the course of just two months and Sally's surgery was postponed to January after undergoing radiation to control the growth. She survived 2 surgeries - one on 1/2/20 to remove the entire tumor, resulting in Sally losing portions of ribs 5,6,7,8,9,and 10, part of her diaphragm and part of her liver; and the other on 1/7/20 to reconstruct her chest and the six ribs removed. Sally is home recovering and getting stronger everyday, though the outcome of her surgery won't be known for some time. Sally will need to undergo additional chemotherapy treatments.

We are also riding for Gregg and his sister Valerie, who were both diagnosed this past year with late stage lung cancer. Both brother and sister went through the rigors of radiation and chemotherapy, with Gregg also going through surgery and now targeted gene therapy. Neither Gregg or Valerie ever smoked. In fact, 40% of those with lung cancer never smoked, but there is a stigma with this disease that results in low funding for research.

We know you join us in wishing Sally, Gregg, and Valerie a strong recovery. We hope their stories will inspire you as it inspires us for our 30th Pan Mass Challenge.

The PMC is the largest single fundraising event for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund, contributing more than 57% of all funds raised. On the weekend of August 1-2, we will join more than 7,000 cyclists and 4,000 volunteers in the 41st annual PMC by riding 190 miles across Massachusetts, through more than 20 cities and towns.

For 2020, PMC cyclists have committed to raise $65 million. 100% of every dollar raised by riders goes directly to the Jimmy Fund (www.jimmyfund.org). The PMC (www.pmc.org) has contributed more than $780 million dollars, which finances research in its earliest stages. Known as seed money, PMC contributions support the most pressing needs and promising developments at Dana-Farber. In so many cases, this early support has fostered the development of some of the most important advances made in cancer research. Recent advances have made possible the use of precise, tailored therapies to attack a growing number of cancers at the molecular level, yet personalized cancer treatments remain the exception and not the rule. Dana-Farber is poised to change this.

Our goal is to exceed last year's contributions of $29,000, but we need your help. If you’ve sponsored us in the past, please consider increasing your donation. If this is your first year contributing, please consider a minimum donation of $100. Sponsorship is easy using the PMC’s secure server. Select the Donate button in the upper right corner of this page.

Each mile pedaled, each dollar raised brings us closer to a cure. For all of our families and friends, we are proud to be part of this challenge. Please help us help the Dana-Farber achieve its mission. Make your contribution today.