Welcome to 2020, a new year and a fresh start in the war against cancer!! Last year, you and I and many others raised and donated 63 million to Dana Farber! The PMC funds comprise 50% of Dana Farber's annual budget -50%! As stated by Dr. Laurie Glimcher [see below a link to the article], ... the PMC plays a critical role in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer... Dr. Glimcher goes on to state that PMC funds have funded research, enabling DanaFarber to lead the field in discovery and innovation; to provide essential funding for the patients and their families before, during and after treatment; to increase treatment options; to improve drug developments, and other notable advances in this fight against cancer. Hopefully by the end of this decade, if we continue chipping away at this together, there will be no need for future PMC fundraisers because we will have conquered cancer. PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!! Once again I am honored to be a participant in the 2-day ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown scheduled for August 1 & 2, and hope you will once again be my virtual companion in the saddle! The impetus for my first ride in 1988 was in support of my dad who struggled with and ultimately succumbed to cancer that year; my second and third rides in 2018 & 2019 were in memory of my sister Martha whose life was cut short, all too soon, by cancer in 2016. This year I am riding in memory of my other friends and family members that we have lost to cancer, including Matt Brophy, Chris Galley, Mary Corliss, Anne Kittle, Chuck Brophy, Matthew Caldbeck, Susie Childs and Betsy Hurley. I am also riding in honor of my friends and family that have fought and WON the battle with cancer, including Betsy Pinkus, Betsy Meek, Michele Boulogne-Kinnealey, Ann Childs, Matty Brophy Jr., Kevin Brophy, Mary Harrington, and Alison Leonard. Sadly there are too many other names that could be added to these two lists. I am also riding for all the future sisters, brothers, friends, etc. - so that together, through the funding of innovative research and development, we stop the disease forever and ultimately win this war. This year I am riding on a team called Team Berio; named after our Pedal Partner Dylan Berio, a 12 year old boy who has been battling brain cancer since he was two. Although Dylan does not ride, he is appropriately called our pedal partner because the pedaling propelling the ride is 100% powered by his spirit, and the spirits of our loved ones also devastated by this disease. Please consider putting your power behind the pedals too by making a donation, thank you! Every penny and positive thought is needed and appreciated.
100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's commitment to finding a cure, therefore, you can rest assured that your donation is well spent!
https://www.pmc.org/blog/glimcher2019impactletter
MARTHA
Our hearts are broken, our tears cannot dry; God has taken our dear sister Martha, and we cannot fathom why
She was too young to go, of that we are sure; Her family is bereft, since the day she was no more
Our lives forever altered, the void cannot be filled; Each day is tinged with sadness, since Martha’s life was stilled
We are floundering here dear Lord, our prayers so far unheeded; Perhaps dear Lord you did not know how much our Martha was needed?
Her family and friends are at a loss, stumbling through the days; Trying to find some comfort and answers to our questions through the haze
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Martha our dear sister full of life, love and joy; Always in our hearts, absent from our lives
Rest in peace our dear Martha, securely in the know; That your loving family will never let you go
We could not stop the evil tide that swept your life away; But working hard to alter the course; usher in a new day
We WILL DEFEAT THIS THIEF OF LIFE who stole our loved ones dear; Through the efforts of many, that day is surely near.
