There haven't been many days since he passed that I haven't thought about my dad. Sometimes it's memories - him strumming Simon and Garfunkel on his guitar or helping me build my first snowman. Often times it's a pang of sadness from the absence of a father figure. While I only got 5 short years with my dad, he sure made an impression, almost as if he knew our time on Earth together would be cut short. He was easy-going, gentle, creative, and kind - all words I try to lead each day by. Most of all, he had a way of making every moment of life feel special, no time together was ever wasted.

After he passed, I had no shortage of friends and family who stepped in to help fill the void. It takes a village is a saying I hold close to my heart. Uncle Tom (a cancer survivor himself) and aunt Yvette taught me to ski, swim, and cook. My sister took me on every fun outing she could alongside her own small children to keep me entertained. My brother-in-law taught me to ride a bike (which will definitely come in handy now!). And my mother of course, the strongest person I know, held everything together and raised me after losing the love of her life. When I wanted to go away to Richmond, VA for college, she took solace that I would be near my uncle Larry, another vital member of the village that helped raise me.

I initially signed up for the PMC because this August will mark 20 years since we lost my dad to cancer, and in his spirit, I wanted to make this otherwise dark anniversary something special and light, a celebration of how far we've come despite it all. About a week after I committed, my Uncle Larry was diagnosed with stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. A cruel reminder that even two decades later, we are all still being touched by cancer, and that there is a lot of work to be done until the disease is eradicated.

So, on August 2nd, I will join over 6,000 other riders to continue the fight to find a cure with not just my dad, but Larry on my mind as well. While my dad was gentle and soft spoken, I've always known Larry to attack each day with a positive and tenacious energy and have a few laughs as he goes about it. It's this energy I hope to harness throughout the ride and help get me through the 162 long miles, which is 162 miles closer to finding a cure.

I will be riding alongside my mother, Danielle Grindle, as well as my aunt Gigi and cousin Ali on Team Pokey's Hope. I am aiming to raise a minimum of $6,000, and 100% of every dollar raised will go directly to Dana-Farber to support the innovative work of doctors, nurses, and scientists in their search for cures for cancers and related diseases. Donations can be made by visiting my PMC fundraising page: The PMC - Donate

With Love,

Taylor