$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!