Here we go again for our second year riding the PMC. Last year, my wife, Marianne and I rode not knowing what to expect, hearing from all repeat riders that it will be an experience you will never forget. Well, we rode 84 very cold, raining miles. It was one of the most inspiring and moving times of my life that made purpose nothing to do with a bicycle.
Can you picture and feel this? Somewhere, many miles into the 88 mile ride, Marianne and I are riding up a hill in a very cold pouring rain. It has taken about 5 hours to get to this point, raining most of it and heavy, the fast wiper stuff, for the last 2 hours. Pushing her bike up the hill was a woman that really didn't stand out from the many others on this journey. A picture of a loved one on her back who she was riding for. She looked so determined, and yet physically seemed like she had no business on such a long bicycle ride. Training for this ride for this woman I would guess was many hours in a hospital room riding with that special person on her rain soaked jersey who was fighting the good fight.
When I stopped to ask her if she was ok and if I could get her bike to the top of the hill, she so politely and appreciatively offered no thank you and kept her wet feet pushing her bike up the hill. Nothing was going to stop her. I cried for miles.
One could only guess her personal story but what was obvious is the why. To beat cancer. To raise the money so badly needed so this ride is no longer needed.
So this year, Marianne and I ride again, with our own personal stories. Just like your story, it is personal and painfull yet it is one we all share together. There are certain things that happen that become etched in our minds and this woman is that for me.
This year, I ride for this courageous woman, a stranger no, for she is connected to us all. She is us. We are all pushing that same bike up the hill.
So please, join me on this ride. I promise I will do the pedaling. Every dollar donated goes to help push that bike. Join us and push.170 miles and $12,000. I can't do it without you.
And remember Don't give up,Don't ever give up.
Thank you for your support,Tom
Below is my personal story.We are all connected and for some reason (that maybe only you know), your journey has taken you to this page. Too late, Now my PMC bike ride is OUR journey (don't worry, I will pedal) and together you and I can make a difference in the fight to beat cancer.
At first, inspired by our nieces and nephew, the Gallivan's for their 4 years of riding the PMC, my wife Marianne and I decided to ride and support the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure.
Like you, there are people that I know and love that are effected by this disease. Some who are in a different place in their journey and some who are here. No matter what, thru love, courage and inspiration, they have given us so much in life.
There are some people that are close to my family whose stories I share.
Our sister-in-law Linda made beating breast cancer look easy by facing her battle with grace and humor. Today she is over 2 years cancer free. What a hero. We ride in gratitude for her life.
Our son in law Matt lost his mother to pancreatic cancer in 2009. We will always be grateful to Claudia for the wonderful job she did raising a son who has become a much loved part of our family. We ride in her honor today.
Trevor's friend Tucker beat the pants off of AML in 2012 at the age of 17 only to be lost to his family from a secondary effect of chemotherapy, sepsis. On August 2nd we will proudly wear our Luck to Tuck bracelets to honor him, the Gowen family and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Our good friend Nancy, part of the village who has helped us raise our family, endured every type of treatment available in her fight against breast cancer. She never lost her focus on her family and students. We ride in gratitude for the life saving treatments that are available today.
There are similar stories of these battles at my company. Courageous people like Maria Roy, Sue Green, Paul Garrett's wife, Tom O'Connell and many, many others.
Yet, my greatest inspiration comes from Sue, my first wife and mother to our son Patrick. Her year long battle with a rare cancer took her from this world 29 years ago yet I know her journey continues and thru the pedals on my bike, she will continue her courageous fight and help others in beating this disease. Her gift of a son and her life lives on thru all of those she touched. No one knew her but to love her. She wrote the book on courage and living.
I ride in honor of Sue.
That is why this bike ride is so simple and meaningful to me.
By reading this, I am sure you thought of the many people in your journey with similar stories and how we are all really connected. You also understand how much work there is to do and that together thru charities like PMC we must and will beat cancer.
So here is the simple part, Marianne and I are committed to raising $12,000 by riding 84 miles. All of the money raised by us and the thousands of other riders will go directly toward this battle. We need your help to get to this amount. Whatever you give, please give in honor of those in your journey. And you can trust that Marianne and I will truly do our best in tribute to them.
Don't give up. Don't ever give up.
Thank you for your support. Tom and Marianne
