I have been honored to work as a clinical psychologist at the Dana-Farber for over twenty years. But my experience with cancer goes back much longer.

Shortly after turning 16, my mom died of breast cancer. That loss transformed everything for me and for my whole family. A little over a decade later, my dad was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). I will always remember going with my dad to Dana-Farber for a second opinion where we learned about a new type of antibody therapy that allowed him to live for many years beyond his diagnosis. That was a gift of time that meant everything to us.

Soon after that, I started working in the Perini Clinic at the Dana-Farber, where we provide care for adult survivors of childhood cancer. DFCI was one of the few cancer centers in the world focused not only on curing cancer but also on addressing the real challenges related to surviving cancer, including the complicated, long-term effects of treatment – both physical and emotional. Since that time, my work as a clinical psychologist and behavioral medicine researcher has been aimed at helping cancer survivors regain quality of life after undergoing cancer therapies.

For over 20 years, I have been incredibly fortunate to work with patients and survivors who inspire me and motivate me every day. This is why I am riding the PMC (Team Perini) and why I am reaching out to you. I would be thrilled for you to support my PMC fundraising which I am undertaking both in honor of my patients and in memory of my parents, Marilyn and Stanley Bober. (Also quite sure that my dad, the hard core marathoner, would be please that I am attempting to ride the 2-day 191 mile PMC for the first time!)

Please know that last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure. Thank you for considering lending your support to my ride this August 5th!