Leo Carroll, a PMC supporter and talented poet, wrote a poem for my 2014 ride. I felt it had to be posted because his message is so inspiring for all who have been directly and/or indirectly affected by cancer. Here is . . .

“THE REQUEST”

Can you carry him again/

Please/I ask? His cancer has re-occurred/and has

Returned alas . . . Can you carry him again/

With his name emblazoned like a

Far-deep star in the blue heavens?

Last year he rode on the back of your jersey

Strong jersey/and your breathing

Infused him and bestowed up’n

Him sweet mercy. But his cancer has

Now returned/and so can you

Please carry him again/because he

Needs the indomitable strength

That your pedals and power can

Make happen? And then a reply was

Heard and resonated above the furor and din/

“Give me his name/and

He will once more soar on the

Currents of the Cape wind.

Give me/give me his dear name/and

I promise you he’ll ride . . .

Until he has been inscribed and

Bathed by every wave.”

I am honored to pedal the PMC in order to help beat cancer that affected Leo’s brother, Michael, and all others that are dear to us.

Your help is needed to meet my personal commitment in raising $5,000 for this time-honored fund raiser. Donations can be placed online at this website www2.pmc.org/profile/SN0067 or by check made out to the PMC or Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and mailed to me at:

Sarah Nelson, 11 Leland Road, Westford, MA 01886

I, and those battling cancer, thank you for your generous support,

Sarah “Sally” Nelson