2016 Letter

To every person who ever supported my PMC ride, THANK YOU! This is likely my last year as a rider but with your help over the years we raised over $100K together in memory of Carl, little Callie, and countless other beautiful lives that we've lost but will never forget. You are all my heros and I'm deeply grateful! Live a life you love in their honor! xoxox

2014 Letter

Hi everyone, Thanks for for your donation! My PMC letter this year tells the story of why this ride is such an important one for me. Please donate in memory of our lovely little pedal partner Calle and my brother Carl as well as all your friends and family who never should have been impacted by cancer! (2014 Fundraising Letter) Critical Numbers: 1-9-10-108-100K-1M-$40M-0

Have I got you wondering what that number is? Well, it is July, and the PMC is in August, and I usually turn up every year at about this time with my plea for support of the Pan Mass Challenge ride which raises nearly half of Dana Farber’s cancer research and treatment budget each year. Here I am again and while I could write pages and pages about why supporting this ride for cancer is so critical, I’m going to tell the story with numbers.

1: For me, it started with 1 amazing person. My brother Carl who died of colon cancer at the age of 46 years old. But I’m going to guess there’s at least one person, most likely more, in each of your own lives who has suffered or died because of cancer. As you read this, think of them.

9: This will be the 9th year that I’ve ridden in the PMC in Carl’s memory. But over those 9 years I’ve also ridden for others who have died, including our little pedal partner Callie who we lost last year just before the ride. But thankfully, I’ve also ridden in honor of many who are alive because of care, treatment and research that is funded in large part by this event.

10: This September is the 10th anniversary of Carl’s death. It’s hard to fathom all that he’s missed in that time and amazing to think of all he continues to inspire.

108: That’s the number of miles I’ll ride from Sturbridge to Bourne on Saturday August 2nd.

$100,000: With the funds raised this year, I am hoping to break my $100K personal goal for fundraising with your support. Every bit helps, no matter what size!!!

1,000,000,000: One million thanks from the bottom of my heart to all who contribute, have contributed, will contribute or support the ride in any way.

$40,000,000: If 5,800 cyclists, supporters, and donators reach this year’s goal, we will raise $40 million dollars for Dana Farber and EVERY PENNY of it will go directly to research and treatment so we can get to….

0: Zero fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children, friends and loved ones lost to cancer or suffering its effects.

Thanks again to everyone for the wonderful (and vital) support. You’re the power behind the pedals! Gail xo

(2013 Fundraising Letter)
Once again I will ride in memory of my brother Carl and in honor of too many friends who have had to face cancer. But this year our team is specifically riding for Caroline Cronk and her family. Caroline is only 5 years old. This past November, after exhibiting some motor dysfunction, Caroline’s family got the worst news imaginable. Your daughter has cancer.

Calle’s cancer is called DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) and is a cancer of the brain stem that affects about 200 children a year. While Calle’s parents pray for a miracle they have already raised close to $400,000 for DIPG research. This year our team will help them in that effort. All the money we raise will go directly to Dana Farber’s DIPG research efforts.

My brother Carl was an amazing Dad to his three girls. If anything would have inspired him to ride and raise money, this story would for sure. Please give as generously as you can for Calle and for every other child afflicted by DIPG and thanks for all your support. My PMC network is the best!!! Gail xo
PREVIOUS PMC LETTERS (2012) “I pin my hopes to quiet processes and small circles, in which vital and transforming events take place.” -- Rufus Jones

To all of you who are part of my small circle, I am writing once again and to some for the first time to ask for your support as I ride a 6th year in memory of my brother Carl. Just a few months ago our family visited with Carl’s former employer Parametric Technology Corporation to meet PTC’s recent Carl Ockerbloom Humanitarian of the Year Award winners. Carl would be stunned and humbled to be associated with an amazing group of individuals championing programs for the blind in India, providing aid to orphans in Russia, working with Habitat for Humanity in the US and raising over $1M to date for the Pan Mass Challenge in his honor. Over these years the support of you, my small circle, has totaled more than $70,000 of that $1,000,000+ donated to the PMC. The PMC is Dana Farber’s largest fundraiser and all that you help me raise goes directly to research and treatment -- not a penny of waste.

My ride this year is dedicated to Ted Lapres who deserves all the superlatives. Amazing dad, wonderful husband, cherished son, brother, uncle, community leader, accomplished CEO and perhaps most important to me and so many others, a great friend along with his wife Connie. Ted was diagnosed just a few months ago experiencing the proverbial bolt from the blue that is often the way cancer arrives. And while chemo and treatment bring their challenges, what I’m learning as I follow Ted’s progress is all that this experience has brought into sharp focus -- Ted and Connie are experiencing every day the power of “vital and transforming events” taking place in their small circle, to which you are now connected. For an incredible dose of inspiration, read Ted’s blog chronicling his journey. It’s an honor to ride for Ted. And as an update, we “virtually” ride again with our pedal partner Aly Cipro who after completing chemo for a brain tumor at about this time last year is doing wonderfully well. Aly returned to full time school, is off the bench and playing sports again and just returned from a back to good health celebration cruise to the Bahamas with her extended family (a treat from Grandma and Grandpa!) What a thrill to see little Aly doing so well. For all these reasons and for all your own personal stories, I hope that you’ll consider supporting my ride once again this year (or if you are new to my list, for the first time). Together we are making an impact that changes lives. Finally, moral support is as good as money in the bank as well so if you’ve already allocated your charitable giving for this year, no worries, just send along those good thoughts the first weekend in August!
(2011)
The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. (Oscar Wilde)
There’s still a patch of snow in my backyard and the tires on the bike are flat, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to begin the work of fundraising for this year’s PMC. My team will roll on August 6th and I want to thank all on this list whose acts of kindness have supported my ride so generously. A few years back I set a personal goal to try and raise $100,000 to fight cancer in memory of my brother Carl and in honor of so many who have been forced to deal with its brutal realities. With a lot of help, I am more than half way to that goal. And while that’s encouraging, unfortunately every year there are more reasons to ride.
My big reason to ride in 2011 is a lovely little girl named Alyson Cipro who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 9 years old and has spent the last year and a half enduring the very adult challenges of radiation and chemotherapy. I typically bump into Alyson and her mom in the supermarket. When I do, Alyson is usually sitting in the shopping cart, occupying barely half the space. The last time I saw Alyson she seemed tired and worn out by many months of treatment. But when I told her that our team would like to ride and raise money for cancer in HER honor, she couldn’t hide a shy smile. I think a part of her knows just how courageous she is, and she knows that we know it too.
If all goes well Alyson will complete her last treatment in July just before our ride. She’ll no longer need a feeding tube to eat. She’ll be able to play soccer with her friends instead of sitting on the bench in her uniform as she does today. In September she might be able to go back to a normal school schedule. And hopefully she’ll soon be too big to fit in the corner of a shopping cart. I would love to tell Alyson in August that she inspired my largest fundraising year ever. To get there will take a lot of help but I’m convinced we can do it. (2010) Hi everyone, Just for this year, I've replaced the photo of my brother Carl on this page with the beautiful smile of Aly Cipro. I know Carl would be more than OK with that, in fact, I know if Carl were alive he would be on a bike riding with us in her honor. Alyson's story follows as told by her Mom but no words can convey the ordeal Aly and her family have had to face since her diagnosis. Thankfully she's coming into the home stretch of treatment and her prognosis is good thanks to her incredible spirit and her treatment at Dana Farber. Please support my ride and in so doing honor, support and cheer Aly on to recovery! Thanks from the bottom of my heart. Gail About Alyson in her Mom's words:
Alyson just turned 10 on March 5th. She is in the fourth grade at Ambrose Elementary School in Winchester, MA. Prior to being diagnosed, she was a normal kid. She loved hanging out with her friends, playing soccer and softball, riding her bike and scooter in our neighborhood and doing arts and crafts. She has always been a little on the shy side but has an amazing sense of humor. Also, I should mention that Alyson has one brother, Robbie, who is 13 and a typical teenage boy! Last year, while she was in third grade, I noticed that Alyson didn't seem quite herself although I couldn't exactly put my finger on what it was. Alyson would get sick every morning but only on school days. She seemed to feel fine on the weekends and vacations so at first, we all just thought that she was a little anxious about school. Then I noticed that her handwriting had become rather shaky and that her school work had really gone downhill. Alyson had never struggled in school before so it was quite noticeable. I asked her pediatrician for a referral to see a neurologist thinking that I was erring on the side of caution, hoping that there was some other explanation for this sudden change in her performance. Unfortunately, on April 27, 2010, Alyson's MRI showed a growth in her brain. She underwent surgery on April 30th at Children's Hospital in Boston. Dr. Liliana Goumnerova performed the surgery. We were fortunate in that Dr. Goumnerova was able to remove the growth in its entirety but our worse fears were confirmed when we were told that the growth was in fact a cancerous brain tumor. Thankfully, her prognosis is good and we are grateful for that. There are so many kids for which there is no hope. After Alyson recovered from surgery, she was treated with proton radiation five days a week for six weeks. She was anesthetized during each treatment. This occurred last year during summer vacation. Alyson then started chemotherapy at the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana Farber Cancer Institute where she continues to treat. She has completed 5 of 9 rounds of chemo and is due in again next Tuesday for round number 6. She will spend 2 nights in the hospital. If all goes according to plan and there are no delays, she should be done with treatment by mid-July--not a moment too soon! Although this has been very difficult for all of us, Alyson has handled the situation with a tremendous amount of courage. She seldom complains about the copious amount of appointments that she has or how bad she might be feeling on a particular day. She is a real trooper. Despite everything that is going on, we have tried to keep things as normal as we can for Alyson. She has been able to go to school until 12:15 everyday. She is too weak to play soccer but she wears her uniform and sits with her team at every game. The girls on the team as well as her friends at school have been really supportive and that has made a huge difference in her outlook on things. Alyson is lucky to have such wonderful friends.

(2009) Just Do It. Nike made the words famous and it’s become a modern day mantra. Don’t whine, don’t complain, don’t make excuses, Just Do It! What we’re supposed to “do” is take on the big challenges ?? run a marathon, go for the big promotion, lose 50 pounds or take some big chance in life. For my brother Carl, for my sister-in-law Marie, for my Uncle Frank, for my friend Reed “Just Do It” has had a far more urgent and challenging meaning. Just Do It. Just eat that next bite when you have no appetite, your mouth is full of sores and everything tastes like metal; just walk to the mailbox when radiation has sapped so much of your energy that just keeping up your end of a conversation is a chore; just take that next round of chemo even though it makes you nauseous and causes your hair to fall out; just head to the hospital for yet another surgery that will require months of recovery. Just keep from giving in, giving up, losing hope when all your hopes were pinned on a procedure or drug that didn’t work. Just try to live a normal life when every week is filled with scans, tests, medications, treatments and doctors appointments. Just smile at your children, your spouse, your parents, your friends because they need to be reassured that underneath it all you’re OK. Just Do It. Having watched so many people I love “Just Do It” with incredible courage, selflessness and hope I have given myself a MUCH simpler challenge. “Just Do It” for me means just raise $100,000 to help find a cure for cancer by the time I’m 55 (6 years if you must know ). Many of YOU have helped me on this path. So far in three rides of the Pan Mass I’ve raised $30,088 and the team I ride on ?? only about a dozen people -- has raised half a million dollars in the same time in memory of my brother Carl and in honor of all our friends and family affected by cancer. So now I’m asking you (again or perhaps for the first time) to “Just Do It” for all the people you love who were unlucky enough to draw the cancer card. We can surely make a difference. Just Do It. Just donate whatever you can afford to my ride of which EVERY PENNY, 100%, will go to Dana Farber’s research budget. I know the economy makes it extremely challenging to donate this year either at the same levels or perhaps at all. If you can’t donate this year I certainly understand but hope I can keep you on this list to help me over the next 6 years. And this year when the PMC hands over the next $30+ million from the 2009 ride to add to the $239+million raised so far we will once again urge Dana Farber to JUST DO IT. Just cure cancer, once and for all! Thanks a MILLION for all your support. Details on how to donate are below and please don’t forget those matching programs, they are a huge help. Gail (2008) Breaking the news In 2008 our common mode of communication is email. Busy lives, ubiquitous technology and demand for instant interaction have forced even the most difficult and sensitive conversations online. In my 2008 fundraising letter for the Pan Mass Challenge which raises critical research dollars for Dana Farber, I wanted to share with you a few of the emails my brother Carl exchanged with our family during his long battle with cancer. When I reread these mails I am struck by the range of emotion communicated in them ?? determination, humor, concern, fatigue, sadness, pride and love. What strikes me most though is that they are filled with hope; Carl always believed there was a chance he could beat the cancer. Riding in the Pan Massachusetts is my way of honoring Carl’s memory and keeping that hope alive for friends and family who are facing cancer today. I have hope that cancer will be cured and know that every dollar donated brings that cure a little closer. I also know that all of you have your own personal stories of struggle with, triumph over and loss to cancer. I hope that Carl’s courage and faith captured in these emails, along with your own experiences, will inspire you to support my ride again this year where 99 cents of every dollar will go directly to cancer research.
This email trail begins AFTER Carl has already had colon surgery and two major liver surgeries once the cancer had metastasized. Thank you again for your support. Gail 12/5/2002 ?? Carl updates us all on the lung involvement I just got off the phone with Pete and realized that it would be better if I had a little distribution list I could e-mail periodically to keep you all up to date. So, here's the skinny. I met with Mayer on Monday. He confirmed the spread of the colon cancer and feels we need to approach in two ways. First, I have this thing that is pressing against my wind pipe. He and the surgeon feel we should fix that first. They have suggested radiation of between two and four weeks. (Now since this area is so close to my voice box there is a chance that I will not be able to sing lead in the upcoming performance of Oklahoma, but that is the sacrifice I am willing to make.;-) ) Following radiation we will work on the second problem, the spots on the walls of my lungs. That will be treated with Chemotherapy using a new drug that I have not had before. Marie and I would like to have this approach validated with a second oncologist so we have scheduled appts. at MGH for Monday to see an oncologist and a radiation oncologist. On Tuesday I have an appt. with the radiation oncologist Mayer has recommended at BWH. I expect we will make our selection by then and get started in a week or two. That's all the news that is fit to print. Thank you all for your support. I plan to make you all proud!!! Update, 12/16, Gail and I went to a healing service yesterday. Fortunately we weren't sitting across from each other so we didn't ahve the occassion to make each other laugh. It was a nice experience but I don't think I am cured as yet. Keep those prayers coming.......and don't forget the animal sacrifice.......ooops, wrong group.
1/10/2003 ?? Carl’s Off To See The Wizard

I'll let you pick the tune..... I could while away the hours,
Smoking homegrown flowers,
and watching Happy Days
du dump, dee dump, dee dum
Yeah but then I was thinking,
I could be another Lincoln if they'd only operate on my brain..........
Oh I, could tell you why,
My kids won't clean their room
Why the've never seen the end of a broom.
I could be a smart Ockerbloom
So they'll accomadate my request
Doc's remove what's bad and leave the rest
and leave me somewhat sane........
Just imagine how smart I'll be
With adjustments made just for me
and they say I'll have no pain. So, here is the translation. I had some headaches................constant headaches actually. The doctor ordered a head CT scan and they found.......guess what........a _____ tumor. Now I know what you're thinking. Colon cancer in your head? Well that explains the old addage...He's always got his head up his .... So the good news is that the location and singularity of the lesion is very positive. Surgery, which I'll have on Tuesday, should leave me with my charming personality, incredible wit and engaging demeanor, oh and humility too. Either that or I'll become Frankenstein. (Only kidding). Not to make light of it and I apologize for the note vs call, but I wanted to find a creative and timely way to let everyone know. Pls make sure this went to everyone. Call me if you like. I'm off to the hospital, I'll be home later tonight after radiation. Your soon to be nobel prize winning brother............ From: Ockerbloom, Carl F. [mailto:COckerbloom@ptc.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 11:27 AM
Subject: update Hi gang, So, as most of you have heard I had my scans and appt. with Dr. Clark yesterday. Here's the scoop. The scans were as expected, nothing new and nothing has grown. That is good. The doc's seem particularly concerned about the liver which remains clear. Everything is still there though. I guess we expected that but in the past it was nice to hear we have removed everything. We have agreed to wait another five weeks and scan again and discuss chemo options. The choices are basically to wait until I have a problem or to jump in some time in April to try to avoid a problem. There are pluses and minuses with both so we will need to discuss then. So, I have a few weeks to look forward to feeling good and getting healthy. That is a good thing. We may try to slip in an April trip to Fla. with the kids after all. Sorry I couldn't call all of you but these are draining days and neither Marie or I had the energy last night. Hope you’re all doing well and Cathy, I hope you are feeling better. So long, Carl From: Ockerbloom, Carl F. [mailto:COckerbloom@ptc.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 5:31 PM
Subject: RE: update Hello again everyone, Just a quick update on todays Dr. visit. Today I saw Dr. Barker the
surgeon. He was very happy with his handy work and gave me the green light
to get back to my normal routines. (Maybe abnormal routines.) He feels
confident that he has done his job and that the radiation has done the rest
and he told me that the success rate betweeen the two is 90%. He does
however want to keep a close eye so he will plan on scanning my head every
three to four months. If they find anything, that should allow them to deal
with it less invasively since it should be small. Good news on the brain
front......... Bye for now,
The Scarecrow
From: Ockerbloom, Carl F. [mailto:COckerbloom@ptc.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2003 5:06 PM
Subject: Update and hello
Hi Gang,
I'm pasting in a note I sent to Cathy regarding last nights chemo start. All in all pretty uneventful.
Things went well despite the delays. The process when working smoothly should be around five hours at the hospital. The process of chemo and other medications was pretty painless and as a matter of fact since they gave me steroids as one of the meds, I felt better than I have for a few days. There are some quirky side effects though that I need to watch. My throat, hands and feet are very sensitive to the cold. I have to wear gloves to get something from the fridge. I can't breathe cold air so I wear a scarf over my mouth and I can't have cold food or drinks. Weird huh? I now where a side pack for two days while chemo pumps. I have that disconnected Wed. night.
Anyway, today I am at work as normal and feeling pretty good. I also wanted to bring you up to speed on another matter. My running group, the famed Highlanders, is going to do a fundraising mailing on my behalf with monies being directed to the new MGH Cancer center now under construction. I have a copy of the letter attached and wanted you to see it and if you wanted to you could either give some names and addresses for the cause or just forward copies along to interested friends. When you look at the letter please just look past the lies and fabrications and let's not worry about accuracy. I'm sure Mom would say those nice things about me too. ;-))
Hope you like it.
Love,
Carly
April 14, 2003 ?? “Just Checking In”
Hi all,
I know it's been a bit since I last reported so here I am. I had some good news last week which I apologize for not getting out sooner. I had a pulmonary test performed last week to access my lung condition and capacity. The doctor was very pleased with the results. Some of the results even came back at 100% of expectation which was good. The translation was that my lungs are getting oxygen and putting it to work. I had a brain scan last week also as a normal follow up to the surgery. I'll be scanning everything every two or three months. I am waiting to hear the results of the brain scan. Finally, I've been feeling pretty good this weekend.
From Carl: 5/7/2003 ?? Multiple Items Today
Hi gang,

I wanted to catch up with you for an update but I've been unable to get the phone at the right time. First of all. What are the Mother's Day plans. I believe we need to stay close for the Patti's primarily for Mr. Patti. Although he is doing better he shouldn't go to far. Is anyone planning anything for Mom and Dad? Secondly, and I will personally thank each and every one of you and you and you....Thankyou for your donations to the running group. We are on a path to exceed $20,000 and Marie and I are very proud and thankful for that. You guys have always been very generous. Finally, I believe I will once again be able to test the value of these donations as it looks like I am in need of more surgery. Recently, although some things have been improving, (my wheeze and my stamina) I have developed pain in my lower back. Now you'd think I'd learn not to mention these things because everytime I do they want to scan me and then another doctor at MGH funds a college education. This time they have found a tumor at the bottom of my spine. Not pressing on the spinal cord but effecting the nerves at the base of the spinal cord. Given the location they would like to get me in quickly. Probably next week. I'll finish the chemo I am on today and then hold on chemo till I recover from surgery. Marie and I are trying to schedule surgeon appts. as quickly as possible but right now I know I have at least one on Monday. Probably won't know anything else till then. The family is managing well. I think the kids are concerned but managing.If any of you get a chance to check in with them ask about it if you would. Just questions like How am I doing? How are you doing? What's the latest on Dad?.....We have a hard time reading them. Even the Meg and Kate could ask on IM. Sorry to drop this in an e-mail but as I said I haven't been able to get on the phone.

Call me or drop me a note,

Love you, Carl From: Ockerbloom, Carl F. [mailto:COckerbloom@ptc.com]
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 2:20 PM
Subject: Hi y'all
I think I have spoken with everyone recently but if you were keeping score I thought I'd give you my latest update on new appointments and activities. Nothing pressing at the moment. Next week though is a big week as is the next one. On Monday I begin radiation. 14 days, so through 8/7. On Tuesday I have multiple scans to give everyone a view of what is happening where. I then meet with the Doc's on Monday the 28th to get some assessment. Things feel good so I assume the reports will be good. Still need to work the lungs but everything else looks great.
I have been feeling pretty good. Chemo is going OK. I'd love to drop this brace but need an OK from the surgeon. Not sure how radiation will be but we'll see. I rode my bike last w/e. 10 miles down and back to the bike path in Bedford. I also did a little swimming at the pool. So, so far so good.
I'll catch up with all of you later.
Love,
Me......
10/8/2003 ?? Update, a day delayed Hi Gang,

How bout those Sox??? What an incredible game the other night. On to NY!!!!!
I am pretty sure everyone is up to date but if not I will give you my latest visit info. from yesterday. First off, I had scheduled some scans for last Thursday due to some new wheezing and coughing. I did not mention it to anyone (I didn't think) because I did not want people hanging on results since I felt it was going to be fine. So if you didn't hear about the scans being scheduled that was the plan. Anyway, the results were not what I expected. We found that my lungs are growing new little buggers and some of the original ones are also growing. Growth is small but still there. So what to do??? There are basically four options which include new drugs, known drugs and clinical trials. I'll stop what I have been on most recently. Marie and I have an appt. next week with Dr. Bendell and Dr. Clark to discuss in detail the options. During this week I plan on calling Dr. Mayer for his opinion.
The good news is the rest of the body seems clear. The liver being the most important. As we figure out the next steps I'll let you know. In the meantime, stay positive and keep on praying.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Love,

Carl Sox predictions????????

Follow up: Marie and I will be seeing Dr. Clark on Friday to finalize on an option. I also plan on seeing a pulmonologist for my wheezing. Busy, busy, busy!!!!! 10/29/2003 Latest Visit Hi Gang,

Well this week has been going pretty well. My counts were back up Monday so I was able to take chemo. I am not feeling badly from it either which is a plus. (Late flash: Lung pain seems to be starting) Marie and I ventured out to Latham NY yesterday to discuss the Erbitux trial going on. This is a pretty exciting drug. Limited side effects. Has shown some good results in tumor shrinkage or stabilization. The doctor and the nurse were excellent. Good aggressive types who like how I have performed so far and would like to see me in the trial. We have to get accepted first which will take a couple of weeks then need to decide when and if to sign up.
This same doctor though is pretty interested in my looking in to another trial with Avistan which shows similar positive results but has less data behind it.

I'll keep you posted.

Carl 12/4/2003 This was the letter that Carl sent to Alyssa’s friends parents, I typed it for him Please pardon the formality of my typing this note.
I wanted to take a minute to relay my experience of a couple of weeks ago. As you are probably aware, I spent the preceding seven days in the hospital undergoing treatment for my cancer. On Thursday the 20th of November I returned home. The next day I was enjoying my time around the house and having time with the kids following their school day. Alyssa informed me that some of her friends wanted to come by and asked if that was OK. Of course it was as we all enjoy it when the girls get together. When they arrived, seven of them, they each had a card wishing me well, offering support and encouraging a quick recovery. They handed me the cards and sat down for a visit. Some of the cards were homemade and some store bought but all of them had true meaning behind them which Marie and I are very touched by. I wanted to share this experience with you because the girls may not have mentioned it to you and we as parents don’t always get to see the good things they are doing. This visit is indicative of a very special group of girls that have supported Alyssa and the rest of the family in their actions and thoughts and prayers. We’ve known for a long time that this Senior class is a special one. As parents we’ve seen the kids mature through elementary, middle school and the high school. They have become very involved, caring, compassionate, thoughtful young ladies and friends. We should all be very proud. Please pass along the thanks from me and my family for such a caring gesture. As we celebrate the holidays please know that we are thankful for all the support we’ve been receiving. Enjoy the Holidays!!!! Carl and Marie Ockerbloom
(2007 - My first year as a rider)
The photo is of my brother Carl and daughter Olivia. Livvy was crazy about her uncle Carl. She loved the way he scooped her up when she came in the room. She loved how he sang make way for prince Ali in a booming voice. She loved when he'd put one of her dress up hats on his head to make her laugh. We all loved Carl in a million ways. And when we lost him to cancer at 46 years old we cursed the cancer but counted our blessings that, thanks to advancements in cancer research, Carl had time and hope.

If someone you love has cancer there is no amount of money you wouldn't give to provide them with those two things. Your donation to the PMC provides those possibilities for others but also brings us closer to something Carl did not get to see, a cure.

When I started fund raising for this event I felt guilty asking friends, family, neighbors, coworkers and corporations for money. But I'm not shy anymore. Curing cancer is within reach and up to us. Please support this incredible ride for a cure where 99 cents of every dollar will go directly to The Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber. When I rode this weekend there was a woman (cancer survivor) by the side of the road with a huge sign that said My heart beats because of you -- and my heart cannot thank you enough for your generosity. Gail

My first fundraising letter:

Dear Family and Friends,

As most of you already know I lost my older brother Carl a year and a half ago to Colon cancer. Carl and I were born 18 months apart and from probably junior high on spent a lot of time together as we shared the same circle of friends throughout high school and Carl later married my kindergarten friend and our neighbor on the street Marie.

I learned a lot from my big brother in those early days. I learned how to slip a devil dog out of the side of the box without ever breaking the seal. I learned what a great practical joker my brother was when he convinced me for a brief time that the runaway pony that inadvertently ended up in our backyard was really a surprise gift from my parents to me. I learned that backing the oldsmobile out of the farmstand onto a main thoroughfare without your driver's license is not the greatest idea ?? especially when you're a small boy and your little sister is in the back seat.

But the most valuable lessons Carl taught came when he was diagnosed with cancer just shy of his 40th birthday. Though it sounds strange, Carl's response to his diagnosis was to literally smirk. I say smirk because Carl was known for his trademark smirk, it wasn't a George Bush smirk and it was not in any way cynical or mean-spirited. Instead, Carl's smirk drew you into a shared joke, it was a little self-deprecating, a little self-conscious and when it came to his illness I think there was a part of Carl that just couldn't believe he was caught up in such serious business. More importantly, Carl's smirk let everyone know that he would not let cancer change who he was at the core and that he would fight back while savoring life in the moment.

We had six incredible years with Carl after his diagnosis and he made the absolute most out of that time no matter what challenges he faced. Two years ago this labor day Carl died leaving behind a young wife and three beautiful girls ?? needless to say we were all heartbroken but at the same time inspired.

When Carl completed his first course of treatment he celebrated by hosting a fund raiser at his house for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The party raised $13,000 and was just the beginning of multiple efforts to raise money for cancer research. In fact, Carl and Marie have single-handedly raised tens of thousands of dollars with hundreds of thousands of dollars more raised or donated in honor and memory of Carl.

Which of course brings me to the point of this letter. Last year Carl's company, Parametric Technologies, pulled a team together to ride in the Pan Mass in Carl's honor. They raised $120,000. This year my brother Pete and I are riding with the team and have committed to each raise $6,000 through our own donations and those of sponsors in order to once again raise a team total of $120,000. Ninety nine cents of every dollar raised by the team will go directly to The Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber. I'm hoping you might be able to help support me in this very worthy cause most of all with your support ?? it's going to take a lot to get me up 113 miles of hills in one day! But also if you can provide financial support I would greatly appreciate it.

I know that there are many worthy charities that each of you sponsor and certainly understand if you have already allocated your charitable giving for the year ?? in that case, well wishes are gratefully accepted!

Thanks so much,

Gail