This year's PMC marks number 12 for me and will be my seventh year riding as a member of Team Forza-G!
This one, like all of my rides, is dedicated to my husband Chris and my mother Lily. Chris was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in 2019 and continues to battle this awful disease with strength and grit. My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer - her fifth bout with cancer - in January, 2023 and spent much of Spring 2023 in treatment. She has now opted for a palliative care plan and is enjoying not being in treatment.
As much as I love the PMC, I dread updating my rider profile each year because the list of people for whom I ride grows longer each year, and this year is no different. My dad has battled skin cancers,including melanoma, in recent years and continues to undergo surgeries to keep it at bay. He has kept his Irish humor and wit through some difficult surgeries and is doing well.
I lost some very dear people in recent years - my beloved cousin Rick, my longtime mentor and friend, Peter, and Patti Barucci, the beautiful mother of my dear friend, Nicole. They all will be on my mind and in my heart as I ride this year.
One thing that always stands out to me is that several key parts of Chris's treatment plan were just developed in recent years. And even more treatments are in the pipeline that could help him in the future. An incredible reminder that research works. But research needs funding, and the dollars that we raise through the PMC -100% of which go directly to Dana Farber - are critical to keep funding this all-important research. I am so grateful to the medical professionals who have given us not only treatment options, but also- hope - the most important thing they could provide. I have doubled down on my commitment to this cause, because we are getting closer to a cure, and I want to do everything I can to help us get there.
I would be most grateful if you could donate to my ride. Every dollar counts!
As always, I will wear ribbons on my jersey with the names of people who have, or have had, cancer. Please send me the names of any loved ones that you would like to join me on my ride; it would be an honor to add them to my jersey.
xoTina
My Links
It's A Marathon AND A Sprint
PMC 2013 Recap
PMC 2013 Training Ride # 1
PMC 2013 Training Ride # 2
PMC 2013 Training Ride # 3
PMC 2013 Training Ride # 4
PMC 2013 Training Ride # 5
The Secret of the Pan Mass Challenge
