This year, I'm riding on Team Brainstorms to support pediatric cancer research and treatment. At our center is Declan Vail, a brave and delightful 8-year-old who has an abnormally large low grade glioma. Since discovery of his tumor at age 3, Declan has been through 18 months of chemotherapy, 3 brain surgeries, over 20 MRIs, thousands of seizures, and hundreds of doctor’s appointments. His amazing family (mom Stephanie, dad Jeremy, and brother Teahan) still face significant ongoing challenges with Declan, but there's hope.

The Bando Labs at Dana-Farber are currently using Declan’s tumor DNA to study over 30 potential specifically targeted meds, one of which was recently granted FDA approval a few months ago. This med has changed lives for pediatric low grade glioma (PLGG) patients affected by the BRAF mutation, meaning the tumor goes away. Treatment becomes curative, instead of palliative. But there is still work to be done! This research if funded by PMC donations and by Team Brainstorms.

We could be on the precipice of something bigger than all of us, yet not possible without us.

The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country, $972 million since 1980 and $72 million in 2023 alone! This success is the result of a lot of people riding for, and caring about, a cure. And because every penny matters, 100 percent of your donation goes to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Thank you! Every donation brings us closer by the mile.
Scott