Let me start by saying thank you!  Thank you to ALL my generous sponsors who helped me reach and surpass my fundraising goal for the Pan-Mass Challenge this year -- I was able to raise nearly $9000 for lung cancer research because of you.  LUNGSTRONG was 81 riders strong this year, led by our fearless team captain Diane Legg.  She crushed the 2-day ride -- she is simply amazing!

Thank you to my incredible teammates -- those who rode for the first year, like Jody (who flew from Ireland), Jess, Don, Chris, Christian, Liz, Lisa, Michelle F -- and the seasoned vets like Fred V. who helped me through the hills of Wellfleet and my roommate Berta Grunbeck who nursed all of us (and other riders she didn't know) by dispensing Tums, Advil and Chamois Butt'r to anyone in need.  And 2-year vet Sarah W. who sang Diane through the whole 2-day ride!

In one of the most selfless acts of the weekend, Jody and Christian, who had already crossed the finish line and showered, re-dressed in riding gear and returned to Wellfleet to help new rider and lung cancer survivor Michelle F. through the last 20 miles of the course, so she could know the joy of conquering her first two-day, 163-mile ride.

Thanks to all who supported us:  Rev. Joan from Main St. Congregational Church who blessed us; Sarah Oleson who donated a yoga session to stretch us, the good folks at Ristorante Molise and the Morning Buzz who fueled us with meals before we left Amesbury; Joy, who drove our support van through the Cape, and transported people and bags everywhere; Traci, who participated by doing a virtual ride and driving teammates to the Wellesley start; the many who clapped us through the course with their signs, music and crazy outfits, coming out at all hours to say thanks; the PMC volunteers who loaded our luggage, pumped our tires and fed us; and my personal Sherpa Todd who was at the finish line to give me a congratulatory kiss and to provide transportation home after a night of fun in P-town.

This year's ride was my 7th and my best as far as feeling good and riding strong.  The weather was perfect and the sunrise along the Cape Cod Canal, my favorite section of the 2-day ride, was stunning.  I met so many inspirational people along the way, from a 2-year rider who survived uterine cancer but lost her sister to breast cancer, to Chris and Kat from MFS Investments, the company my kids work for, who were riding on the company team, grateful for the early detection of lung cancer for Chris.   Or Yude who flew here from China to ride for one of his colleagues who had succumbed to cancer i-- his very first PMC.  

As one of my new teammates pointed out, this is an experience that is hard to describe, as much as we try to recreate it through words and pictures.  I'm grateful to have the opportunity and the physical ability to participate on behalf of those who cannot; and on behalf of those who have won their battles and those who have not.  Each year, there are more and more people we ride for, who are with us in our hearts, and named on our helmet ribbons.

With 100% of LUNGSTRONG's raised funds dedicated to innovative lung cancer research, I assure you we are making a difference in the lives of many ... and Billy Starr continues to raise the bar for all of us, finding ways to raise even more money to support the wonderful work of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.  And let's not forget to offer thanks to the very smart doctors and researchers who are helping to extend the lives of so many cancer patients, as they put your money to good use.

To our local friends:  please consider coming out to our annual "Live It Up LUNGSTRONG" dance party on Sat. Sept. 14th at the Legg home in Amesbury.  Tickets are available via our website, www.lungstrong.org.

To those who have not had the opportunity to donate but would like to, you have until Oct. 1st to donate to me or any member of my Team LUNGSTRONG team.  Contributions of any size are very much appreciated.

Gratefully,

Robin Peters Schell, Proud To Be A Team LUNGSTRONG Member!