Dear Family and Friends,

PMC 2021 was my first-ever Reimagined PMC. With the threat of COVID-19 hanging over everything my dear friends Aaron, Patty, and Prajna decided in a different challenge. An 86-mile ride starting in Framingham and riding up and over the summit of Wachusett Mountain in central Massachusetts. It was an ambitious one-day ride that meander over back road, spikes on the trek up the mountain access road for about three miles, and culminates with a nasty 150-yard, 15% grade to the summit. My profile photo shows the happy (and a bit tired) faces at the summit. And it's not all downhill from there as I hit speeds close to 50mph on the descent and then up and over many other hills on the journey home.

Does this ride sound familiar? Think of the battles we know our loved ones have faced as they deal with a cancer diagnosis, go into long, exhausting, and draining therapies over many months and even years. They can't and don't go on this journey alone; they need the unwavering love and support of those dearest to make it through regardless of the final outcome.

In just over six weeks on August 6th I'll be riding in my 21st Pan-Mass Challenge. I'm committed to raising $2,000 for the PMC this year to support the life-saving patient care and research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund. Dana-Farber/Boston Children's was just named the top pediatric cancer program in the US by US News & World Report. All donations are 100% tax-deductible and 100% of every dollar raised goes to the Jared Branfman Sunflowers For Life Fund For Pediatric Brain And Spinal Tumor Research.

You have supported research that has resulted in new, cutting edge treatment regimens. Treatments that were dreams only five or ten years ago. Because of what you have made happen, if Jared were alive today there would be treatment for him. You and every dollar raised make a difference.

I would gratefully and lovingly accept your gift of any amount. Click the Donate to My Ride button on this page and follow the steps. Or send a check to me payable to Dana Farber Cancer Institute/The Jimmy Fund and mail it to Valentina Rosa, 383 School Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

With love, warm hugs, and abundant thanks,

Valentina xoxo