“There’s a lot riding on this…..”

6 years ago on a cold February day, my family gathered in a hospital room to say goodbye to my mother, Cheryl.  She had been fighting cancer bravely for years but on that day, we stood by her as she lost her battle.   Beyond that horrible day though, what I will always remember, is her fight.  Instead of letting her cancer diagnosis serve as a death sentence, she chose to embrace whatever time she had left and fought to keep going... to keep LIVING.  She fought by setting goals, milestones really, to extend her life beyond what doctors told her to expect.  These goals added years to her life and she used those years to inspire and comfort others, helping them fight their battles.  Although we ultimately lost her, at the age of 59, I remain amazed and gratified at how many lives she touched during her battle.

A few years after my Mom got sick, and was continuing with her fight, I'll never forget being in my office and taking a call from my Sister, Karen.  I didn't see it coming... I literally thought I was having a bad dream when she told me that she too had been diagnosed with cancer.  I thought of the pain and suffering my family had been going through together with my Mom and was devastated that my sister would have to endure this fight as well.  But endure, and fight she did.  She continues her fight today and every day, living with pain that no one should have to endure, but she is LIVING with pain.  Like my Mom, Karen did not accept a "death sentence",  she decided to fight and I am so proud to say, this time cancer is losing this fight. 

In 2010 and 2011, inspired by the tenacity and perseverance  of my mother and sister, and mentored by a friend who had also lost loved ones to cancer, I have ridden in the Pan Mass Challenge.  It is a way to help others while honoring the memory of my mother and at the same time, celebrating life.  That first year I painted on my bike the initials of my Mom and Sister, as well as those of other very special people who lost their battles with cancer.  In the months that went by, as more friends and loved ones passed and people shared their personal stories with me about themselves, their loved ones and their friends and the battles fought, I added more initials.  I am sad to say that I am running out of space on my bike, now filled with initials of brave, special people who fought their own battle with cancer.

In 2012 I suffered a heart attack which kept me out of the PMC for the past few years.  Thinking that this part of my life was behind me, I moved on.  In the months that passed, some very special people in my life were diagnosed with cancer, and more recently, I learned of an old friend who’s young son was in a fight of his own.  This friend reached out to me about the PMC and the fire was lit.  Today, as I write this on February 26, on the anniversary of my Mom’s passing, I chose to remember and honor her by committing again for 2014.  Although my cardiac health will shorten my ride this year, it will not dampen my enthusiasm.

So this year, I will ride again, along with other special people who also ride to remember loved ones; my prayer is that you, though your support and donation, will also be with me. 

My goal is to raise $1,000 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and  The Jimmy Fund; folks who work tirelessly, not only to try to discover a cure for cancer, but also to help treat and comfort those who are fighting their battles.  PLEASE donate what you can, no amount is too small.   Donate to remember a loved one who lost their battle, or in support of someone who is still fighting.   If you don’t donate through me, donate through SOMEONE who is riding in this great event for this is the cause of a LIFEtime.  100% of the money donated goes directly to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.  Please check out Team VICE on Facebook to get to know more about our team and the PMC.

Thank you for your support.

Mike