Not everyone survives cancer. I did, with very effective surgery at Dana Farber over 20 years ago. But too many others do not, including my friend Alan Mugford.

Alan came into my life over a decade ago and became my best friend. He had been battling multiple myeloma before we met, but he did not know that. He thought he just had back pain. My associate and I helped him get health insurance to address this. That is when he learned he had cancer.

He had the best care and best medicine, with help from Dana Farber. But this cancer was the kind that can beat down even the strongest.

I ride to honor Alan's battle and his memory, to support others fighting now, in memory of those that lost their fights, and to help fund research to find new treatments so more will survive with dignity and without the pain!