Dear Family and Friends,

This photo is with Declan Vail aka Declan the Younger, one of Team Kermit's Pedal Partners, his Dad Jeremy, and me. Declan the Older, our first Pedal Partner, is almost 15 years old because of Team Kermit and the money you have contributed to the Jared P. Branfman Sunflowers of Life Fund.

Declan the Younger and I met at the Lakeville water stop last summer. I got down on my knees to greet him and he immediately threw himself all over me. We laughed, tickled each other, and rolled over on the grass...pure bliss! I asked Declan if he wanted to try out my bike and he jumped for joy. I put him up on the saddle and he lunged right into an aerodynamic tuck position. I looked ahead to his Mom Stephanie who was taking his photo and proudly exclaimed Olympic champion 2038!

Declan Vail was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor before his third birthday. He has regular and unpredictable seizures all the time, and has already endured many rounds of chemo and radiation treatments at The Jimmy Fund. Despite it all Declan has so much genuine love of and for life. To be with Declan is to fullly present, to understand the pure happiness of being, to shine, and to glow. Declan loves superheroes and he is one. He has that kind of aura. Team Kermit has been doing everything we can to fund Declan's treatments which sadly need to be continued and increased.

This was to have been my 19th PMC. Given the pandemic of COVID-19, the PMC will be reimagined this year. I feel so sad to miss one of my favorite weekends of the entire year. There is nothing like PMC weekend and I'm eager to see how the PMC will be staged this year. I am eager with anticipation and, to be honest, some anxiety. Though I won't be training on the road with my Team Kermit teammates this spring, we started training every night on Zoom. We remain committed to each other, to the Declans and their families, and to supporting ongoing research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund into pediatric brain tumors.

While the PMC has eliminated the fundraising minimum for all riders this year, we have been asked to continue our fundraising efforts to support the life-saving work at the Dana Farber and The Jimmy Fund. I realize this is a big ask for many. I do not want to put anyone who is experiencing financial hardship to feel any obligation to make a contribution this year. If you are able, I would gratefully and lovingly accept any gift no matter the size.

Click https://donate.pmc.org/TR0029 or the DONATE button and follow the steps. Or send a check to me payable to The Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber Cancer Institute to 383 School Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

With love, warm hugs, and great thanks,

Tina xoxo