When my granddaughter, Matilda aka Tilly, was diagnosed with a low grade glioma in her cervical spine three years ago, the Pan Mass Challenge and Dana Farber took on new meaning for me and my family. This will be my 12th year participating in the Pan Mass Challenge and Noah's 9th year as members of Team Pook’s Pedalers. Our team will be riding with over 5,000 riders from Wellesley to Provincetown (180 miles!) the first weekend of August, with 100% of the money raised going to cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI).
I wrote this last year, but the video and the message still pertains!! As I begin to train for my 11th year of the Pan Mass Challenge, I'm filled with emotion and gratitude. I’m grateful to still have the energy and strength to be part of such an incredible fundraising event. It’s Tilly’s smile, spirit and grit that gives me the strength and power to keep riding and raising money for Dana Farber. It's seeing Tilly use her right hand to eat a strawberry on Mother's Day morning that keeps me riding. It's seeing Tilly swing with one arm on the monkey bars that keep me riding. It's seeing my son Josh, daughter in-law, Clare, and their daughters finding support, care and community through Dana Farber that keeps me riding. These victories are the powerful reminders of why we ride and the direct impact that everyone’s donations have on these brave and spirited pediatric cancer patients. On May 10th, 2023 the local Boston CBS affiliate ran a very moving story on my family. Please click the link to watch the video: Young girl with cancer receives life-saving care supported by Pan-Mass Challenge
This year, Tilly will be our PMC team’s Pedal Partner. The Pedal Partners are pediatric patients at the Jimmy Fund who are paired with PMC riders and teams. One of the most emotional parts of PMC weekend is the mile leading into the Lakeville rest stop on Saturday of PMC weekend. Photos of Pedal Partners line the road. At this point of the ride, you slow down on your bike, your heart opens and you are reminded that you are riding for the research and care that is keeping these children alive. This year, Tilly’s photo will be one of the photos lining the road—her beautiful blue eyes looking right into
We didn’t know that it was possible to feel even more grateful to have the opportunity to ride the PMC. Thank you all for your continuous contributions, allowing the Tilly’s of the world to feel like they are attending a weekly party, achieving and surpassing growth, feeling supported and seen, through the good weeks and the challenging ones, with spunk and flair.
Our team, Pook’s Pedalers, have had personal experience with family members passing through the doors at Dana Farber and walking over the PMC bridge for their cancer treatment. Some are still pedaling and some are held deeply in our hearts. As we ride, we continue to hold the memories of our dear family members and friends. My sister Jill is always in my heart, Mickey, my dad, other friends are always with us as pedal on. And we continue to “ride” with those whose lives have been impacted by cancer and are still going strong. And we ride holding dear friends who are in midst of treatment.
Thank you for your support and for sharing the Ride with Me.
When my granddaughter, Matilda aka Tilly, was diagnosed with a low grade glioma in her cervical spine three years ago, the Pan Mass Challenge and Dana Farber took on new meaning for me and my family. This will be my 12th year participating in the Pan Mass Challenge and Noah's 9th year as members of Team Pook’s Pedalers. Our team will be riding with over 5,000 riders from Wellesley to Provincetown (180 miles!) the first weekend of August, with 100% of the money raised going to cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI).
I wrote this last year, but the video and the message still pertains!! As I begin to train for my 11th year of the Pan Mass Challenge, I'm filled with emotion and gratitude. I’m grateful to still have the energy and strength to be part of such an incredible fundraising event. It’s Tilly’s smile, spirit and grit that gives me the strength and power to keep riding and raising money for Dana Farber. It's seeing Tilly use her right hand to eat a strawberry on Mother's Day morning that keeps me riding. It's seeing Tilly swing with one arm on the monkey bars that keep me riding. It's seeing my son Josh, daughter in-law, Clare, and their daughters finding support, care and community through Dana Farber that keeps me riding. These victories are the powerful reminders of why we ride and the direct impact that everyone’s donations have on these brave and spirited pediatric cancer patients. On May 10th, 2023 the local Boston CBS affiliate ran a very moving story on my family. Please click the link to watch the video: Young girl with cancer receives life-saving care supported by Pan-Mass Challenge
This year, Tilly will be our PMC team’s Pedal Partner. The Pedal Partners are pediatric patients at the Jimmy Fund who are paired with PMC riders and teams. One of the most emotional parts of PMC weekend is the mile leading into the Lakeville rest stop on Saturday of PMC weekend. Photos of Pedal Partners line the road. At this point of the ride, you slow down on your bike, your heart opens and you are reminded that you are riding for the research and care that is keeping these children alive. This year, Tilly’s photo will be one of the photos lining the road—her beautiful blue eyes looking right into
We didn’t know that it was possible to feel even more grateful to have the opportunity to ride the PMC. Thank you all for your continuous contributions, allowing the Tilly’s of the world to feel like they are attending a weekly party, achieving and surpassing growth, feeling supported and seen, through the good weeks and the challenging ones, with spunk and flair.
Our team, Pook’s Pedalers, have had personal experience with family members passing through the doors at Dana Farber and walking over the PMC bridge for their cancer treatment. Some are still pedaling and some are held deeply in our hearts. As we ride, we continue to hold the memories of our dear family members and friends. My sister Jill is always in my heart, Mickey, my dad, other friends are always with us as pedal on. And we continue to “ride” with those whose lives have been impacted by cancer and are still going strong. And we ride holding dear friends who are in midst of treatment.
Thank you for your support and for sharing the Ride with Me.
I have chosen to keep all of my donors' information confidential; therefore it is not displayed on my PMC public donor list.
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Susan Zarchin
