Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for your support over the years. For the 16th year, I will be riding the Pan-Mass Challenge.

The Pan-Mass Challenge is a Massachusetts-based bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. The PMC raises funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research. Each summer, thousands of riders and volunteers from 43 states and 12 countries participate in the PMC, all with a common goal: to find a cure for cancer. 100% of all rider-raised funds go directly to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. The PMC is Dana-Farber’s single largest supporter and is more than 60 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. Since 1980, the PMC has raised $900 million for Dana-Farber.

As you know, cancer does not take a break, and so we ride. We ride for everyone battling this disease. We all have friends and family who have been impacted by cancer. My ride is to support those in the battle today, to celebrate those who have won their fight, and in memory of those that have gone before us. There will will be a banner Pattie will make for me with all the names for me to carry on my back. If there is someone you would like us to add, just send their name.

This year, as we did last year, we are also honoring Erica Leafquist. Erica passed away after battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia (A.L.L.) for ten years. Several years ago, her parents established the Erica Kate Leafquist Research Fund at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, to both honor Erica’s memory and provide funds for the important research being done on relapsed A.L.L. Despite medical advances, more children die from relapsed A.L.L. than all other pediatric cancers combined. Dr. Lewis Silverman (Erica’s lead doctor) and his research team, along with the collaborative strength of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, are striving to identify drugs and therapies that will improve the outcomes for relapsed A.L.L. In 2023, all donations I raise will go to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as well as to this fund.

Last year, the Pan-Mass challenge raised over $69M. While I am retired, I still ride with Team Dassault Systèmes. Many of you donated to the Pan-Mass Challenge last year. In the end you, Pattie and I raised $9,518 and Team Dassault Systèmes raised over $391,273 for cancer research. Our team goal in 2023 is to raise $400,000. My personal goal is to raise $10,000. Pattie and I are going to “pay it forward”. We are donating $2,000 up front to get us 20% of the way to $10,000.

This year I will ride the second day of the PMC, August 6th, the length of Cape Cod, finishing in Provincetown.

If you are compelled to support my ride, please make a donation at https://donate.pmc.org/SB0218 .

All the best to you and your families.

Thank you for your support.

Scott