Why I Ride…
back at it! I am so excited to share with my family & friends that this year I will be riding in the PMC for the fourth year, first as a dad, and also first with my birthday mate - Dan Schwarz. This one means a little more, as it's been 11 years since the passing of Eliza's father, Pete Scoba who loved to ride the PMC. As we embark on this new journey of being parents - passing on the PMC just was not something I could do, the Scoba and Versprille family have carried the torch for many many years - we will continue to ride for the people that we have lost way to soon.
For those of you who do not know, the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) is a bike-a-thon that raises money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. Since 1980, the PMC has raised $970 million to continue to fight the fight. The donations from all of you have made a HUGE impact that will continue to help these efforts; we have raised $890,741.98 over the years! Lets get the total to over $1 million this year! I cannot wait to see what this year's riders bring to the fundraising table and I am honored to be a part of this effort for Team UP and the entire PMC team.
We have all been affected by cancer in some way - for me it was my best friend, my mom. In 2018, my mother was diagnosed with lymphoma and it was the scariest news our family has ever received. She fought like crazy, having to bravely undergo six rounds of chemotherapy, while still “adding sparkle and poppers” to every occasion and somehow baking cookies. Her strength and attitude through it all amazed us every single day. In 2019, we were blessed with the news that she officially was cancer free and this year received another clear scan - and we hope to continue to hear that glorious news year after year.
A lot of families don’t ever hear that good news of a clear scan and I truly cannot imagine what that is like. Eliza lost her father to cancer 10 years ago and my heart aches thinking about that pain. She and the team bikes in the PMC every year to celebrate her father’s life and she has inspired me to join her the previous three years. Unfortunately, this past December Uncle Hank battled as hard and as long as he could before being taken from us way to soon as well. Uncle Hank was the biggest supporter/ cheerleader of everyone he knew but his kids (and AJ) came first ALWAYS! Meeting him for the first time when dating Eliza I knew right away I hit the jackpot with this family - he asked about ALL Chicago teams and just knew how to make anyone comfortable. To him - family time was the best time, and I will always remember him for welcoming me into this family he dearly cares and loves for - thank you!
On Saturday August 3rd, I will be participating in the one day ride starting from Babson College (Wellesley, MA) & ending in Bourne, MA. A 84 mile route that will lead us to one of the two bridges we usually take to head to one of our favorite places, Chatham, MA. We are riding alongside so many to celebrate those who have fought this same battle, those who are fighting it right now (you know who you are!), and those who are fighting for a world where this battle no longer has to be fought. I hope you join us in supporting Dana Farber and the amazing work they do in fighting for that cancer-free world that we all dream of, but Dana-Farber can make a reality.
Thank you for all the support!
Will Gotschewski
