$1 Billion is in the books thanks to you and we have our sights set on another big year in 2025!! $76M is the target this year
My 4th year of PMC is here and I'm excited to be healthy and back into regular training
Much of my story and "why" are the same. But I now have a much better understanding of the power and mission of the PMC. Last year, the PMC raised $75Million for Cancer!! But this $ value means a lot more to me now. I rode with many of the doctors and researchers who directly benefit from these funds. They have direct access to use the money as they need. Hiring experts for research or adding staff to allow them to treat more patients. (Check out the PMC Impact image in my gallery to better understand where the funds were directed from our ride in 2022.) Read more about how these funds are used here.
The group of riders and energy along the entire 164 mile route is addictive and it has brought me back for a 4th year
I will continue to ride on Uncle Dave's 1995 road bike with pride. That will never change
I learned about the Pan Mass Challenge from my wifes uncle, Terry. He has been a rider in the the PMC for the past 20 years, but as he gets older, his ability to do the full ride has been questioned by a few family members. With me being at a decent fitness capacity, I started thinking about riding in Terrys place in recent years. This decision was finalized for me when we were at the celebration of life for my wife's other Uncle, Dave. He unfortunately passed away from brain cancer in October of 2021. He was an avid road biker and I decided that I would ride on his 1994 all steel Italian racing bike. A decision that I may regret half way through the ride, but it's what I've committed to doing. A little bit of extra suffering during the ride will keep me focused on who I am doing this for and why.
Cancer has also had a direct effect on my side of the family, with my Mom's Mom (Helen) passing away from breast cancer in 1966 when my mom was 10 and her sister was 5 years old. In the same year, they lost their Aunt Fran, also from breast cancer. Her father (Thomas) passed away in 1995 from colon cancer. Finally and most recently, my Dad's sister (Linda) passed away very suddenly from multiple myeloma in 2019.
The loss of all of these loved ones is why I am riding. If the money that we raise together can help other families from losing their loved ones too early, then I am up for the challenge to help. I will carry the legacy of our family on with me every time I train and complete the ride, for the first ride this year and in the years to come.
My photo gallery has pictures of those who we had the pleasure to have in our lives, but unfortunately are no longer with us
Outside of Cancer, my wife, children and I were thrown a big curveball in June of 2021 when we were hit by a tractor trailer on the Ohio Turnpike. My son and I were flown to the ICU in Fort Wayne Indiana and my wife and other son were taken to a hospital in Ohio. We spent 5 days in the ICU where my spleen was removed, 5 broken ribs and sternum were treated and multiple sets of stitches were used to patch me up. Cole had significant plastic surgery inside and outside of his mouth and had a bit of a long road to recover from a traumatic brain injury. Ben and Liz recovered from their injuries, but we are all still dealing with our little aches and pains even today. I am using this ride to prove to myself that I am still physically able to take on difficult challenges and to fight back from a near death experience.
Your help and support on this journey is greatly appreciated
I am proudly part of Team FLAMES again this year
