I'm a proud participant in the Pan-Mass Challenge - a bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country - to bring us Closer by the Mile to a cure for cancer.

My PMC ride means a lot this year. I am riding in honor of my mother who currently is receiving innovative, life-saving treatment at Dana Farber. They are here today with us because of the cutting edge work that Dana Farber's doctors and researchers do every single day. I ride for my own loved one, but for everyone now and in the future who will get more time with the people they love because of DFCI. Cancer, particularly breast cancer, has impacted many of my family members. We lost my grandfather to breast cancer in 1978 when it was not even considered possible for men to get cancer in their breasts. I am considered at a very high risk for developing breast cancer and am already a DFCI patient in their comprehensive high risk clinic. This sort of excellent care for those who are currently battling cancer and those at the greatest risk is possible because of events like the PMC.

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.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!