I like to ride my bike. The Pan Mass provides the opportunity to do a long, organized ride with manned intersections, open roads, minimal traffic and water stops. But I also realize it is so much more. Five years ago I was inspired to ride after the death of a dear friend to cancer. I felt it was the least I could do. This year, cancer struck again.....even closer to home.

In early November my sister was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia). An extremely healthy 69 year-old woman suddenly felt weak one day and within hours was diagnosed with leukemia. As someone who still feels infallable at times, this was a wake-up moment! If this could happen to her, could I be next?  Cancer does not care how many miles you can ride or run.  It can strike anyone at any time.  As i watched my sister go through her treatment, which included chemotherapy, radiation and ultimately a bone marrow transplant, I was amazed at the level of care she received and how well she has come through the entire ordeal.  There is no definitive cure, yet, but it is nothing short of amazing to see how far treatments have come.  

If you feel this is a cause you support, please donate by clicking on the link to my PMC page.