Dear Friends and Family,

I hope you have been enjoying a happy and healthy year. I am excited to say I have been preparing for my second year riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge. As many of you know, I was inspired to join this amazing cause by my best friend, Jessica Otto, and her family.

I consider the Ottos my extended family because, over our 21-year friendship, our fathers also become best friends. We all watched as Uncle Pete battled against lymphoma three times. He overcame each battle with a smile, setting an example of positivity that I will remember for the rest of my life. This past year, the week before the PMC, Pete passed away in his home.

Pete was a born optimist, but I know that his faith in the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the fact that he had sixteen years after his initial diagnosis, might have had something to do with it. Pete was able to witness so many wonderful moments of his daughters' lives, and this is due in large part to the amazing care and treatments he received as a result of extensive research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Pete participated in six PMC rides during his remissions, and for the past three years, his daughter Jessica had as well. So, in honor of his courageous fight, I will be riding with my father, my sister, among many other riders in biking 50 miles to raise money for cancer research. We must raise a minimum of $1,200 each and I’m asking you to help us with this task. Each year 100% of rider-raised revenue from the race goes directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's commitment to finding a cure. Thank you for taking the time to read the Otto’s story. Donations can be made through www.pmc.org where there is a link to type in my name, Teal Gildea. Checks can be mailed to me at the address below, written out to “PMC.” Donations are tax-deductible, and the forms are provided on the PMC website.

Thank you for your consideration!

Love, Teal