I am joining my colleagues and Team Daisy this year for my first PMC ride, which is inspired by my late mother-in-law, Carol, who passed away on May 25, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Even before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April 2020, Carol was an inspirational force. She raised four children, including my wife, Phoebe, became a college professor after her kids became teenagers, and devoted herself to many charitable causes in her community. By the time Phoebe and I started dating in 2009, Carol had also become a competitive rower. For several years while we were living in Boston, we cheered her on at the Head of the Charles.

Carol also had nine grandchildren. In October 2019, she was present for the birth of our first child, Tommy, and she lived with us for weeks afterwards to help us settle into parenthood. Four months later, when Tommy ended up in the hospital for a week with a serious case of RSV, Carol dropped everything to be with us. In 2021, we moved to Connecticut, in part to be closer to Phoebe’s parents. That year, our daughter Josie was born, and both she and Tommy grew to develop special bonds with their grandma, who they called “Meema.”

Despite her circumstances, Carol never seemed to feel bad for herself, and to the surprise of no one who knew her, she fought incredibly hard for over five years. In 2022, she even returned to the Head of the Charles one last time. My ride is inspired by and in memory of Carol. I am also inspired by my wife, Phoebe, who has exhibited incredible strength over the past five years.

Since its founding in 1980, PMC riders like me have raised more than $1 billion for lifesaving cancer research, treatment and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, one of the country's top cancer care hospitals. My PMC is making a difference in the lives of patients at Dana-Farber and around the world. The funds I raise support the innovative work of doctors, nurses, and scientists in their search for cures for cancers and related diseases.

100 percent of every dollar I raise goes directly to Dana-Farber, meaning that your donation has a real impact! Please donate to my PMC fundraising and help me reach my fundraising goal.

Thank you,

Shaun