Since 2015, I have chosen to participate in the Pan-Mass Challenge to honor so many of those in my life that are fighting, have successfully fought, or have lost their battle with cancer.

This year marks my eighth time participating in the PMC. My reason to keep riding is an easy one: oncology is a cause I will always hold near and dear to my heart. Grandpa John, Aunt Betsy, Shirley, Grandma Olga, Aunt Jane, Carissa’s Grandpa Joe, Kerin, and countless others — year after year, I ride for them.

Once again, I’m excited to partner with Team Precision for Kids to help raise critical funds that support Precision Medicine and all they do for pediatric cancer patients. As a team, we ride to support Dr. Katherine Janeway and her work with Precision Medicine. Dr. Janeway — a cancer survivor herself as well as a Harvard, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Boston Children’s Hospital pediatric oncologist — works with hospitals around the world to develop specialized, life-saving treatment plans for children battling cancer; this work is proving to be incredibly successful. Precision Medicine uses genetic testing to identify specific strands of DNA which are causing cancerous cell mutations as well as the various treatments that work best on those specific cells.

Every dollar I raise will be donated directly to Precision Medicine through the Dana Farber Cancer Institute to support this important work. With your help, we can make a real difference in the lives of children who are battling this horrible disease.

I continue to be blown away by the ongoing support and generosity of not only my family and friends, but also strangers who want to help. My supporters — in addition to the pediatric cancer patients that benefit from Dr. Janeway’s work — inspire me to get in the saddle and ride 192 miles; I would undoubtedly not be able to do this year after year without you. From the bottom of my heart — thank you.

Let’s make 2022 the year we find a cure!