Thanks for taking the time to read our story of how our family became involved in pedaling for a cure, and how The BrainStorms were born.

In May of 2019 our family's world was turned upside down when our, at the time, 3 year old was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Declan is now almost 7 and has fought this tumor for 4 years. After 18 months of chemotherapy, 3 brain surgeries, countless medical procedures, tests, and >750 seizures- his true grit still shines through. Declan shows us all how life with cancer should be. He takes every day on with courage and a fierce determination to make everyone around him smile. Declan has taught us how to live life one day at a time.

In 2019, the summer that Declan was diagnosed, he had the opportunity to join PMC's Team Kermit as a Pedal Partner. This really opened our eyes to what the Pan Mass Challenge is all about, and how there is a community of cyclist who solely pedal for a cure. The atmosphere at the PMC, and the people that I met along the way, drew me in. I HAD TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY!!

In 2020 I joined Team Kermit as a rider and was able to do my first 3 PMCs as a member of this team. It really changed who I am as a person. The PMC, and Declan's journey, convinced me that I needed to give back to this cause who took our family under our wings when he needed help flying. Not only do we ride, volunteer, or attend as a Pedal Partner family for every PMC event, but I have also made a change in the type of nursing that I do. Last March, on Declan's 6th birthday, I started a job with Dana Farber Cancer Institute as an Infusion Nurse. With Declan's tumor being large and unable to be removed, we need a medication that could shrink this tumor and improve Declan's quality of life. Our family and friends have decided to bring together a team of riders who are raising money to research the genetic mutation, on the FGFR1 gene, that caused Declan's tumor.

And that's how The BrainStorms was born. We are brainstorming for a cure for Declan and other pediatric brain tumor patients. Not only can this research help pedi, it can also transfer to adult solid tumors with the FGFR1 mutation. Our goal is to raise $100,000 in 5 years for The Declan Vail BrainStorms for a Cure Fund, which we created this past fall. After this falls PMC Unpaved ride, we are already 1/4 the way to our goal. Our family and friends participate in all aspects of the PMC. I ride the traditional PMC and volunteer for Unpaved. Jeremy, my husband, rides Unpaved. Declan and Teagan ride PMC kids rides, and Teagan raised the most money at the Natick PMC Kids ride this past June. We are a PMC/DFCI family, and are hooked for life.

Our goal is to raise money, but also promote awareness about childhood cancer. Cancer is NOT just being diagnosed, get chemo, and on your way. Declan will fight this tumor for the rest of his life. He does physical therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and gets assistance in school with these as well as math and reading support. He will never know a life without this. The effects are life long, the appointments are never ending, and we know he will be running an ultra marathon for the rest of his life. BUT, NO KID FIGHTS ALONE. We have made sure that Declan is surrounded by love and people that want to help and make a difference in his life, and other childhood brain tumor patients.

Please join me in fighting for Declan. Any donation is appreciated, and goes a long way towards a cure. By participating in the PMC we are changing lives, and your donation changes lives as well. We could not move forward without your support. Only 4 of federal cancer research funding goes towards pediatric cancers. Without funding from the public and people like YOU, we would never find a cure.

Lets kick cancer's ass together!!!

P.S. Let me know if you are interested in joining us on the road.