Dear Friends and Family and PMC Supporters,

Many of you who have joined me on my PMC journey 16 years ago, remember Kenny Ott. He was diagnosed with leukemia in March, 2007. On April 30, 2009, when he was 16, he became ‘cancer free’.

And he has a tattoo to prove it!! I even had a picture of that tattoo in one of my letters!

That year, I road to celebrate his life and his cure. I road for joy and that beautiful boy. I tear up just thinking about that time. He was there cheering me on in 2009, 2010, and 2011 – and then he road in the PMC himself and as if that wasn’t enough, he has now completed several Iron-Man feats! I stand in awe of this beautiful soul. I always have and I always will.

And so, when I witnessed his wedding last month to Mackenzie Cool, I was filled with an emotion I can’t really put into words. He is now, Ken Cool. I know, you can’t make this up! So perfect! I listened to their vows that day. So real. So powerful. So true. While they did not talk about cancer, because cancer does not define Ken, their words conveyed an understanding of deep pain – that enabled them to experience deep joy. I have always known that our pain can inform us or it can destroy us. For Ken, it informed him. And he came away a fuller human being. To say that I love him, is an understatement. And so, I guess, I am riding for his joy this year. And simply, the joy that he is here to have a wedding.

And I guess, I am still riding for hope. Always hope. My brother’s cancer has returned. Of course, pancreatic cancer is never good, but he is searching alternatives that may provide a cure- and at the very least, a longer time here with his family. Our medical system is very flawed. My brother is actually researching clinical trials himself. It shouldn’t be this way. He shouldn’t have to go to Canada to pay for his own drugs because his insurance company refused to pay even though his oncologist appealed four times for approval!

And yet, it is this way in our country.

But my brother, David, says” f*** it!” (first swear word in one of my letters!) – I have always wanted to go to Yellowstone and so I’m going! So, he packed up Cindy-his wife, Penny-the dog and Mia -the cat in an RV trailer and headed out west. He is living his life in the now. It is a choice. And it is amazing.

And then there is Amazing Grace, our Pedal Partner from last year. She is still fighting the great fight. Right now, the plan is for her to end treatment this November! As you can see, she is still smiling and she has hair! Somehow, we don’t know how, but we need to embrace the human spirit that enables us to become an Iron-Man, drive to Yellowstone, and find joy through cancer.

I ask you – once again – to join my efforts. Research is the only answer to ending cancer. And let’s face it, research takes money. And so, if you are able, please support my ride by:

1. Pledge online by clicking my personal egift page: http://www.pmc.org/egifts/SW0131

2. Send a check made out to PMC/Jimmy Fund: Susan Warner, 6 Hovey Street, Ipswich, MA. 01938

3. Email me at: smwarner2@verizon.net if you’d like to add a name to my shirt. I will ride in honor or memory of your loved one.

Always with gratitude in my heart,

Susan