I'm pleased to be participating in my 12th PMC. This year I'm participating as a 'virtual rider' and volunteering in support of others who are actually doing the real rides.

My family has been touched by cancer with my Dad experiencing skin and thyroid cancer. But, it wasn't until a close friend discovered she had breast cancer that I decided in 2007 it was time for me to participate in the PMC as a rider after years of contributing to other riders' fundraising efforts.

Ten years ago, I met another PMC rider, Steven Branfman, who lost his 23 year old son to cancer in 2005. Branfman is also a thyroid cancer survivor. Jared Branfman loved Kermit the Frog from Sesame Street. As a tribute to his son, Steven formed Team Kermit, a group of riders who are raising funds for the Jared Branfman Sunflowers For Life Fund For Pediatric Brain And Spinal Cancer Research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.Although I'm not riding 'for real' this year, I am still a proud member of Team Kermit which rides with a Kermit doll on their helmets because, in addition to the great cause, seeing the excitement on the faces of kids and adults as we ride makes the PMC experience even more fun and special. As our team motto goes, "It isn't easy being green", and it isn't easy living with cancer.

Even more important than being able to meet the physical challenge of the event, I am especially gratified by the overwhelming number of people who have supported my rides over the years with their generous contributions to the Dana Farber Institute and Jimmy Fund.

Please help the PMC meet and exceed its fundraising goal for this year's ride by contributing whatever you can afford to help us fight cancer. Thanks for your support!