I'm a proud participant in the Pan-Mass Challenge - a bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country - to bring us Closer by the Mile to a cure for cancer.

Since its founding in 1980, PMC riders like me have raised more than $1 billion for lifesaving cancer research, treatment and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, one of the country's top cancer care hospitals. My PMC is making a difference in the lives of patients at Dana-Farber and around the world. The funds I raise support the innovative work of doctors, nurses, and scientists in their search for cures for cancers and related diseases.

100 percent of every dollar I raise goes directly to Dana-Farber, meaning that your donation has a real impact! Please donate to my PMC fundraising and help me reach my fundraising goal.

I'm riding in honor of Blake Ravanis and the courage she has shown in her battle with Neuroblastoma. It's heartbreaking bringing my daughter Claire to kindergarten each day and seeing Blake's cubby empty knowing what she has experienced instead of playing and learning with her classmates. Seeing Blake's smile instead of an empty cubby during drop offs has been a reflection of how brave she's been even as a 5 year facing such adversity. That's something worth spending a full weekend on a bike for!

In addition to being a member of the #bravelikeblake crew, there are others I care for that have had cancer effect them in different ways. I'd be remiss not to acknowledge and share the motivation that having both a father and mother diagnosed with cancer at different times in my life has for joining this ride. They've been able to receive treatment to overcome the diagnosis, and I'd love that for others in the same situation. Proud to ride for my folks!

Also, I ride for my mother in law Jane. Her ability to maintain positivity and fill the cups of everyone around her while consistently experiencing treatments, doctors appointments, and days where she doesn't feel like herself during her battle with cancer is inspirational.  Finally, I'll be riding for the memory of my wife Abby's father Rick who tragically passed from cancer before Abby and I met.  I will not lack motivation on this trip and hope to make everyone proud!

Any donations are greatly appreciated no matter the size. Thanks for your consideration and let's fight this battle together!