2025 PMC

Dear Family and Friends:

I will be setting out for my 25th ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) as I will be joining over 7,000 riders and over 4,000 volunteers to gather for a bike-a-thon across Massachusetts on the first weekend in August.

People come together from all corners of the world with one mission: raise funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Together, we will get closer by the mile to a world without cancer.

The PMC has raised $1.047 billion for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since its launch in 1980. Over 270,000 supporters contribute to the PMC’s gift annually. Today, the PMC is the single largest contributor to Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund and is responsible for 66 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

My goals are: 1) cycle 200 miles Friday/Saturday/Sunday (Sat/Sun routes below), 2) raise at least $10,000 and, 3) enjoy the spirit and energy for this cause. 

Here is my story that has motivated me to help fight this disease:

During the latter half of 1999, I experienced increasing low back pain. A CT scan showed a surface tumor on a lymph node in my abdominal area. Just before Christmas 1999, I went in for surgery to biopsy the tumor. Results of the biopsy would not be complete for two to three days. One day later, I began to experience chest pain so severe, that I found myself in the emergency room at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Admitted back to the hospital, I was subject to a series of precautionary tests. During these tests, a new physician entered my life - my oncologist. He shared with me the results of my biopsy - the diagnosis was seminoma cancer. Treatable diagnosis, but I would be going through months of chemotherapy that would not be pleasant. However, the fun was just getting started. About an hour later, I had a chest ultrasound performed and it showed a pulmonary embolism, or massive blood clots in both my heart and lungs. Immediately, a flurry of doctors rushed in to tell that I had only one choice, which was emergency open-heart surgery to remove these clots. At this point I concluded that today was truly a shitty day, and was looking forward to the next day being just a little bit better.

Recovery from heart surgery went well, but many times, there are unforeseen complications that test your will. I developed more blood clots in both legs, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT's), which required multiple vascular surgeries to remove the blood clots. Recovery from open-heart surgery and DVT’s delayed my chemotherapy for two months, and my vascular circulation in my legs was severely impacted and made even walking impossible for three to four months.

Finally, I was able to begin a chemotherapy treatment that would prove to be highly successful in ending the tumor’s growth. I am forever thankful for the support I received from my family, friends, medical professionals, and complete strangers that found a way into my life. I give thanks and cherish the many wonderful things that we can do each day.

Since I have been riding and fundraising for the PMC, you have helped me raise over $198,000.00 (going to break $200,000 this year!). Last year our efforts yielded $6,000.00 and this year I hope to raise $10,000 with your help. I am riding on Team Lick Cancer's cycling team Home (teamlickcancer.com), which as a team we raised over $841,000.00. See links below to donate online, otherwise, if you prefer to send a check, my mailing address is P.O. Box 525, Keene, NH 03431

Thank you - Hope to see you soon!

Tony

Gift page (any amount) - The PMC - Donate

Every donation brings us closer by the mile. Please donate to my ride by clicking one of these links:

Donate $1,000 - The PMC - Donate - Start

Donate $500 - https://egifts.pmc.org/TT0019=500

Donate $250 - https://egifts.pmc.org/TT0019=250

Donate $120 - https://egifts.pmc.org/TT0019=120

PMC donations are tax deductible and 100% will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC's tax ID /EIN number is 04-2746912.

The Pan-Mass Challenge only uses your personal information to thank you and will not share it with any other organizations.