Dear Family and Friends,

This photo is with Declan, our Pedal Partner, and five Team Kermit teammates in 2018. We arrived at Lakeville, the second-to-last rest stop on Day 1 of the PMC in the pouring rain. Though our bodies were soaked and bikes filthy, we were all so happy to see Declan. He's a soon-to-be-teenager now because of the money you donated to the Jared P. Branfman Sunflowers of Life Fund which helped to fund his treatments and care at The Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Nothing is more sacred than saving a life.

This will be my 19th PMC. It's hard to remember the exhilaration of my first one, but when I close my eyes, I feel it. Even after all these years, I quiver with excitement at the start line, get emotional chills, and meet great people all along the way. Riding in the PMC is one of my favorite weekends of the entire year.

Team Kermit has come a very long way since we started riding together in 2006. From our humble beginnings as a team of 8, we're now 60+ riders of all ages, gender identities, shapes, and riding abilities. We train together, break bread together, and raise money to fight the insidious disease of cancer. We are a family. Click here to read more about Team Kermit: http://profile.pmc.org/TT0079.

Even after all the advances in early detection, treatment, and prevention, everyone of us continues to be touched by cancer, either our own diagnosis, or that of a family member, friend, co-worker. or neighbors. One of my dearest friends for 30+ years was diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing radiation treatments after surgery. The wife of a fellow Kermit lost her year-long battle with cancer last Fall. Another friend lost his father to lung cancer after only three months post diagnosis. A soccer teammate was diagnosed with testicular cancer. My list goes on as does everyone's.

Fortunately, there are thriving stories too like Declan, including the daughter of a Kermit teammate whose daughter survived months of agonizing treatments and will be riding the PMC this year with her father, mother, and younger sister. We are blessed with their survival.

Please donate whatever you can to my PMC. The minimum fundraising requirement in 2019 is $5,000. This is a big, gnarly goal. With your support, kindness, and generosity, I'll get there.

Click the DONATE button here and follow the steps, or send a check to me payable to The Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber Cancer Institute to 198 School Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

With love, warm hugs, and great thanks,

Tina xoxo