An update! Training has been going well, and its coming down to the wire. Im dedicating this year's ride to a very good college friend's son who was diagnosed with brain cancer, Sean Ricard. Please please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
Last year's ride was exceptionally difficult. If you put together the lack of training and the heat and humidity, I was only able to complete the ride because of three things. Knowing that the funds I raise will bring the kids of the Jimmy fund JOY, being able to ride with my friend from college (I would never have been able to finish if it wasn't for him), and having the remarkable and never ending support of my friends.
I am definitely dedicating myself to train harder this year so I'm ready for the last ride from Sturbridge. When I started riding the PMC I had the feeling that if you're going to commit, commit to the whole route. I've been lucky enough to ride the Sturbridge route multiple times, and this last ride will be bittersweet. The feelings you have as you gather early Saturday morning in anticipation, or when you're crossing that starting line, or riding under the huge american flag on Route 20 as you ride out of Sturbridge, are indescribable. I had to ride from Sturbridge one last time and having a trusted friend by my side the whole ride.
I ride to provide funds for three very important Jimmy Fund Events, the Summer Festival, The Polar Express, and the Winter Wonderland.
The Summer Festival is when the Jimmy Fund takes over the Franklin Park Zoo, and every past and present patient, and their families enjoy a day at the zoo. The winter Wonderland is 2 weeks in the Jimmy Fund Clinic. The clinic is decorated with candy canes to snowflakes. Each day the staff and families dress in a fun theme, Grinch day to Ugly Sweater day. It brings such a sense of community for all!
If you do not believe in Santa, you definitely will for the week leading into Christmas. He truly brings a light and sense of wonder with him in his bag of treats. Visiting Santa while receiving treatment, takes you even for a moment away from cancer, and how it has impacted your life. The parents are smiling and some crying, as they listen to their child tell Santa everything they wished for. Santa visits, and JOY is spread around generously. To see the amount of fun and joy everyone was having made the 186 miles feel so much better.
The Polar Express was new for the clinic in 2024 and is for the Dana Farber patients, and their parents, all in their PJs…yes even the parents!!
We have Elves in the Dana lobby creating crafts and filling up treat bags for their long bus ride. On the bus we watch the Polar Express, and everyone is more than ready to get on the magical train!!
It makes it even more special where the Polar Express departs from… right near the Mass Maritime entrance, where we all finish day one! This year if your route goes into MMA, you will know that in 4 months, there will be 7 coach busses filled with families passing right by, before they pull into the Cape Cod Railway station for the most magical experience.
Throughout the Train ride there is dancing and singing elves, yummy hot coco and cookies and each child is so excited to reach the destination of the North Pole!
When the train comes to a stop, everyone looks out the windows and see the most beautiful North Pole. The kids start screaming with delight as Santa heads to board the train, and then he sits with each child and gives them a magical bell and special time to say their wishes.
The bus ride back, almost every child is sleeping all snuggled up to their parents, and no doubt dreaming of their magical stay at the North Pole!
I will always remember, when I had the opportunity to talk to a couple of the parents, and they told me how these events help them, the whole family, have some fun and forget, albeit for a short time, everything the whole family is going through.
On the first Saturday in August, I will be in Sturbridge starting one last time from the original starting point and making my way to Bourne and then Provincetown. So, I am asking for your help. I wouldn't be able to do this without you! You all have supported me the past 10 years and I'm hoping you can help me with my goal for this year as well. There will always be kids who will need to have some JOY put back into their lives and play with animals or celebrate the holiday season. So, I ride!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the people I'm riding for this year. While I ride for the kids, I ride in celebration of the survivors, especially Tracy Kingston Gledhill!
A special shout-out to Sean Ricard who is stronger then he knows and is battling to beat this terrible disease.
And in memory of these special people that have touched my life.
- Jack Hoffman
- Marie Cellucci Anzuoni
- Bob Anzuoni
- Judi Brooks
- C. Everett Kinchla
- Chris Kinchla
- Rick Michaud
- Francesca Kaczynski - #teamBEANS
- Cristina Hurley
- Marion Ferguson
Go Team R.O.A.R.
Thank you for your support.
Jim
