PMC 2012 - Crazy Good!

Day 0 group assembles at the border.

For the last nine years, the first weekend in August has always been a unique one. This year proved to be one of the most exciting yet. My 2012 Pan-Mass Challenge ride began at the New York border on Friday, where 40 or so other riders and I ascended the Berkshires, rolled through the Pioneer Valley, and pedaled on to Sturbridge amid hot and humid conditions - a total of 91.6 miles. While it was a blast, the heat did take its toll, slowing the entire group, including myself, down.

This would normally not be a problem - it's a ride, not a race. However, that day I was racing against the clock in order to arrive in Sturbridge, register for the full PMC ride, shower, and high-tail it to Amesbury, where my brother and sister-in-law were holding their wedding rehearsal. My plans had me arriving in Sturbridge at 2:30, but it wasn't until 3:50 when I rolled my sweaty and sore body across the Day 0 finish line. I took the quickest shower known to man and beast and met my ride to go to Amesbury (and only 30 minutes late! :/ ).

As you all know by now, I missed the Day 1 ride (Sturbridge to Bourne) on Saturday to be best man in my brother's wedding. I was virtually cheering on my Team Kinetic Karma teammates during the day! The wedding was a huge success and the reception was a lot of fun. I paced myself in the alcohol department so that by midnight when I left I was ready for a good night's sleep and would wake refreshed.

I awoke at 3:30 am (after only 2 hours of sleep!) on Sunday to get ready to travel down to Bourne for the start of Day 2. I met my teammates at the starting line and we began the 77-mile trek to Provincetown. We passed the major milestones - crossing the Bourne Bridge, pedaling along the Cape Cod Canal, riding the roller coaster that is Service Road, passing the throngs of screaming children at da Hedge, the Team Kinetic Karma "Twizzler" stop in Wellfleet, and finally the dunes of Provincetown. It did rain, no, pour on us for about 15 minutes straight, but the cooling raindrops washed away (some of) the sweat. The sun came out later and dried us off before we rolled across the finish line.

Another successful year!

In typical Team Kinetic Karma fashion, we stopped just before the finish line for our traditional "champagne" toast photo (I'm sixth from the left in the back). This year more than others, I felt a strong bond to my teammates throughout the riding season. From training together to sharing fundraising ideas to that motivational "you can do it!" on a tough hill, my teammates came through like no other group of people could. Thanks, friends!

If you'd like to get a taste of what it's like to ride with my awesome teammates, check out this video that our team captain made of our Day 2 ride. See if you can spot me!

So, the epic PMC/Wedding/PMC weekend was a success. I'm still catching up on my sleep, but it was a success nonetheless! I'm REALLY close to calling my fundraising a success too! To date this year, my friends and family have donated $6,342 to support cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute! That puts me only $263 short of my goal. Remember, just $263 more will put my lifetime (since 2004) fundraising amount to $40,000! I'm so close!

If you haven't made a donation yet this year, or if you want to supplement your prior donation, visit my fundraising page and make your secure donation today.We really are making a difference in the fight against cancer - join us and help make cancer HISTORY!

PS: All of my donors who have given $100 or more this year will receive a small gift from me - a packet of spices from Hubba Hubba Foods! In June, Hubba Hubba donated over $400 that they raised through a farmers market fundraiser - I'm happy to spread the spice to my biggest supporters!

$2,000 in 7 Days Challenge is On!

With a mere 17 days to go until the Pan-Mass Challenge, my legs are feeling strong to ride across the state, and I am ready to flex my fundraising muscles to raise $6,500 for the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's fundraising arm. Please join me over the next seven days and make a donation to support innovative cancer research and life-saving cancer care at Dana-Farber. Your contribution will help me exceed my fundraising commitment ($4,300) and will help me on my way to having raised $40,000 over the last nine years.

Over the next seven days I'll share stories about my training, why I ride, and the people that I ride in honor and in memory of. I encourage you to share your story here in the comments or with me via email at j_fijalkowski@yahoo.com. Every year I carry the names of people that my donors give in honor and in memory of, so please do share your story.

We really are making strides in the fight against cancer, thanks to your donations. 100 percent of the money you donate will go directly to the Jimmy Fund - your money is going as far as possible to make a difference in the fight against cancer!

Please give today and be a part of the $2,000 in 7 days challenge!

Stronger

Over the past five days, I've ridden 160 miles to train for the Pan-Mass Challenge. As I sit here now I feel the strength building in my legs - the strength that will get me up and over the Berkshires on Day 0 and across the wind-swept dunes of the Cape on Day 2. The PMC is four weeks away, and I'm starting to feel ready for it physically.

Mentally, the PMC is always on my mind. Not just because it's fun (it's soooo much fun!). And not because it's a great accomplishment. It's because it's a slice of humanity that I don't get to see everyday. The camaraderie among the riders is incredible. The volunteers never cease their work, even if their task is to pick up trash. The people whose lives have been affected by cancer that line the route thank us for riding, and we thank them for thanking us. It truly is the best weekend of the year for me.

On Saturday, I got a little taste of what the PMC is all about. My team, Team Kinetic Karma, went on a 80-mile training ride to visit two of our pedal partners, Amelia and Charlotte. Amelia was our pedal partner several years ago, and as you can see in the photo above (bottom left), she is a beautiful, healthy young girl (with an awesome playhouse!!). Charlotte, our current pedal partner, is out of treatment for her cancer and is also doing very well. It was wonderful to see the girls and to be reminded of the great work that we are supporting at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

In addition to my fellow riders, the volunteers, and the supporters along the route, I am incredibly thankful for my donors. Every year, you allow me the opportunity to have this much fun! My hope is that you get joy out of reading about my ride and knowing that you are making a difference. We are beating cancer, together.

Please make your donation today. I am 1/3 of the way to my $6,600 goal. I know I'll get there with your support. Thank you!

How PMC Money is Used

How does Dana-Farber Cancer Institute use the funds that you donate to the PMC? Incredibly effectively, that's how. Dana-Farber is at the leading edge of developing new cancer treatments and providing personalized cancer care. Dana-Farber can do what it does due in part to your PMC donations.

There are several reasons why this is the case. First, 100 percent of your PMC donation goes directly to the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber's fundraising arm. Not one penny of your donation goes to Clif Bars or bike mechanics or post-ride beer - all of the costs of the ride are underwritten by corporate sponsors. Second, the PMC generates half of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue (last year the PMC raised $35 million). Without the PMC, Dana-Farber's life-saving work grinds to a crawl. Finally, the PMC generates unrestricted funds for Dana-Farber to spend wherever it finds the greatest need. Many of its other funding sources (like foundation and government grants) come with strings attached. And while stringy money is great, it has its limitations.

Dana-Farber recently released a three page statement describing exactly how the PMC is making a difference in cancer research and care. Below is an excerpt that hits the point home.

Unrestricted PMC gifts:

• Are the life-blood of the Institute. They provide critical, flexible funding to be used when and where the need is greatest.

• Enable Institute leaders to fund promising new research opportunities. 

Early-stage research is not eligible for government funding, yet many of the discoveries that lead to significant breakthroughs begin as promising theories.

• Advance our signature, total patient care philosophy by enhancing the programs and initiatives that serve the spiritual, emotional, and psychosocial needs of our patients and their families throughout the cancer journey.

• Support the core infrastructure and technologies that foster the exchange of ideas and information across the Institute.

• Allow us to attract, develop, and retain the brightest minds who will lead the next generation of cancer care and research.

• Help cover insurance reimbursement gaps so that expert patient-centered care is delivered without compromise.

• Bolster under-funded services including social work, community outreach and education, and cancer prevention and screening.

• Fund the expansion and renovation of much-needed clinical and research spaces.

So, why give to the PMC? Because, in doing so, you are SAVING LIVES. Yes, YOU.

Click here to make your donation today. Thanks, from the bottom of my heart.

Milestones

Sue (right) raised over $400 for the PMC!

Over the last few weeks I've passed several milestones in my Pan-Mass Challenge training season. On the fundraising front, I surpassed the $1,000 mark on May 21, earlier than I ever have (last year it took me until July 6 to pass $1,000). I greatly appreciate donations early in the season, as they allow me to focus on my training, which is always toughest at the beginning as I wake my muscles up from their long winter rest.

I also recently held my first fundraiser. The generous folks at Hubba Hubba Foods donate the proceeds from their first farmer's market of the year to a cancer charity, and this year they chose to support my ride! Despite the cold and rainy weather, we raised over $400 to fight cancer. Thanks again, Sue!

I also had two training milestones. I had my first back-to-back training rides on Memorial Day weekend. This is an important training strategy, as you get no rest between cycling days on the PMC! In fact, the addition of the unofficial "Day 0" makes it a 3-day, 275-mile journey. Training two days in a row is crucial to making sure you can sit back down on that seat after riding 110 miles the day before!

Finally, I also have completed my first 50+ mile ride of the season a few weeks ago, which is a full month  before my first 50-mile ride last season. I'm traveling a lot in June for work, which is putting a crimp in my training plans, but having that 50-miler under by belt already is going to make a big difference when I have time to devote to training again.

Only 8 weeks till the ride! Have you made your donation yet? 100% of your gift will go directly to the Jimmy Fund to support cancer research at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Your dollars are getting results (which I'll blog about another time). We are saving lives, trust me! Click here to make your donation today.

Jared in Spandex? Hubba Hubba!

Granola is part of a healthy diet. It's also part of my fundraising strategy for fighting cancer. Thanks to the generosity of Hubba Hubba Foods, the company will be donating 100 percent of its proceeds from the June 2 Farmer's Market in York, ME to my Pan-Mass Challenge ride. Yes, 100 percent!

Taking what was simply a fun and creative way to give gifts to friends and family at holidays, Sue from Hubba Hubba Foods now sells her homemade granola, spice mixes, and rubs at farmer's markets in northern New England. At the first summer farmer's market in York every year, Sue donates her proceeds to a cancer charity in honor and memory of her father. This year, Sue has graciously offered to support my Pan-Mass Challenge ride!

How can you get in on this? Come to the York Farmer's Market on June 2 (as an added incentive, I'll be there, spandex and all!)! Too far to drive? Check out the Hubba Hubba Foods website and place an order with me - I'll deliver or ship ($25 minimum please) it to you!

Thank you, Sue, for your generosity and your commitment to the fight against cancer!

Riding for Charlotte

TKK Visits the Casgars

Training began a little early this year due to the mild and dry spring we've had thus far in New England. I've logged 125 miles in the saddle in March and April. My upcoming travel schedule will make it hard to train like I usually do, so starting the training early this year is going to pay off in the long run. The PMC is 14 weeks away, and there is still plenty of time to ramp up to the necessary strength level,

Today I joined my team, Team Kinetic Karma (TKK), on a training ride with a very special purpose. 18 past and  current TKK riders and friends of TKK met at 9:30 am in Needham to begin a 42-mile ride through Boston's quiet suburbs. This was the annual TKK Pedal Partner ride, where we rode to the home of Charlotte Casgar, our 2012 Pedal Partner. You may remember Charlotte from a few years ago. In January 2010, Charlotte, who was 2 and a half at the time, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a childhood cancer. Since then, she has been undergoing cancer treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and has been TKK's Pedal Partner. We ride in honor of her battle.

It's a battle she's winning. When we visited with her and her family today, her father told us that she is out of treatment and they're waiting to see if it was a success. Seeing Charlotte playing with he two younger sisters and my teammates, it's clear how far she has come. She's an adorable *almost* five-year-old and seems to be thriving. She even took out her bike and showed off some sweet moves!

Seeing Charlotte's smile reminds me of why we ride. We ride so that children like her get many years of laughter. No child should undergo what Charlotte has at such a young age, and research at Dana-Farber, funded by you, is making a difference. Charlotte's form of cancer is very treatable because of donations like yours. She smiles today because of donations like yours.

Please give, whatever you can, in order to get one pedal stroke closer to a cure for cancer. Let her inspire you, as she has done for me and for many others. Make your donation today.

2011 Wrap-up and 2012 Goal

I like big checks, and I cannot lie.

Wow, it's been quite a while since I last wrote. As you can probably guess based on the above photo, last year the Pan-Mass Challenge raised $35 million for the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's fundraising arm. That matches the all-time largest donation back in 2008. Given the recession, it's very impressive that the PMC continues to over $30 million a year for the fight against cancer.

2012 marks my ninth PMC, and it'll be a little different from years past. My brother and his fiancée are getting married (yay!) on the Saturday of PMC weekend, so I'll be Best Manning up in Amesbury that day. I'll still ride the Day 0 ride from the NY border to Sturbridge, and then Day 2 from Bourne to Provincetown. I will still do the entire 275-mile ride, of course. I will make up Day 1 on another day. It won't be the same, but I'll be damned if I miss my brother's wedding!

As for fundraising, I have a special goal this year. In 2012, I plan to raise $6,605.15. Why that strange number, you ask? Because, by raising that amount this year, I will have raised a total of $40,000 for the fight against cancer since 2004. I'm really excited about this goal, and I hope you choose to become a part of it.

Please help send me on my way. Make a donation today. 100% of your donation will go to the Jimmy Fund, which finances innovative cancer research that is, today, saving lives. Be a part of a cancer-free future. Thank you, and I hope you follow me on my journey to Provincetown this summer!