I ride for my lovely wife Lou Ann. She fought a 3 year battle against glioblastoma with grit and grace that came to an end January 6th, 2020. I ride for Lou, so beautiful, lovely, kind and compassionate with her midwestern honesty and practicality. Her beautiful spirit and genuine soul just naturally attracted people. Lou accepted everyone for who they are no matter what their story. You just knew you could share anything, and she’d listen with real interest and without judgement and love you with all your quirks. i ride to keep her legacy and spirit alive. I also ride for my Father Sandy Cushman who was taken too soon and for Jay Niles, an amazing friend and mentor. I ride to hopefully prevent others from their experience.

This will be my 7th year riding in the Pan Mass Challenge. Such a wonderful event in so many ways. The PMC highlights the beautiful side of cancer. So many people coming together to take back what cancer steals, hope. Such kindness from people bound together in a common cause. It is carthartic and gives purpose, keeping the helplessness away. So thank you all who support my ride. Thank you for helping me keep Lou's memory and spirit alive. Thank you for giving me purpose and a sense of accomplishment. And thank you for helping me give hope to others.

Tom, Lou Ann, Zoe, Max and Ian