It’s been one year since my grandmother passed, and it still feels unimaginable to have gone this many days without her by my side—or my grandfather’s. This past year has taught me so much, much of it shaped by this journey and the incredible support I received from you.
I’ve learned how physical grief can be, how deeply it can live in your bones. But I’ve also learned to embrace the memories to find peace within them vs pushing them away. I’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness of others and the powerful mission behind the Pan-Mass Challenge. The thing that has inspired me the most with PMC is the fact it started with one man turning the pain of losing his mother into what today brings in millions of dollars a year for local cancer research. Many also don't know but 100% of rider donations go directly to the cancer research of their choice. We will ride again for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in honor of our pedal partner Calista Scribner an elementary school child engaged in treatment at Dana Farber.
Because of your generosity, last year we raised $12,000 together—and helped push PMC over the $1 billion lifetime fundraising milestone. This year, I’m upping the ante: I’ll be taking on the two-day, 170-mile ride from Wellesley to Provincetown!
Your willingness to listen to my story and share your own journeys of struggle, grief, and resilience meant the world to me. Wearing the names of loved ones on the back of my rider shirt and bike is one of the most meaningful parts of this experience. If you—or someone you love—is battling, has battled or was taken cancer, I would be honored to carry their name with me.
My grandmother would tell me "You’re not allowed to complain unless you’re prepared to do something about it." So here I am getting on my bike in hopes of turning the pain of her loss into something beautiful.
When she was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer last summer, I felt gutted. Although I wished desperately for a different outcome, I’m grateful for the medical advances made possible by efforts like PMC that gave us nine more beautiful months together. She could undergo treament without the delibating side effects her mother and sisters had endured. This was not possible even 6 years ago.
Her final three weeks at home on hospice were not what you’d expect. They were full of warmth, laughter, and togetherness. Our entire family anchored into their tiny ranch and never left. Friends came through. We made dinner. We told bad jokes. We wore wigs. We slept by her bed. We showed up—just like she always did for us. She was radiant. Fully herself. And so alive in those moments. It made us all stop and focus on what truly matters.
The greatest gift of all was witnessing the depth of love and support that surrounded her. No one was asked to show up—they just did. You did. And it meant everything to me and my grandfather. It was a true testament to who she was and the lives she touched.
My grandparents taught me that small acts of kindness—done consistently—can have the biggest impact. I want to honor them the best way I know how: by continuing to show up for those who need it most and helping ensure fewer people have to lose someone they love too soon.
I hope you’ll come along for the ride again this year. You know we always put the fun in fundraising.
If you’re able to donate or share my efforts, I’d be deeply grateful.
With all my heart,
Susan
#teamcalista #ridingfornanagigi
