Back in the Saddle - My 23rd PMC

First training ride of the season!

While the weather hasn’t been cooperating much lately (cold and rainy Memorial Day weekends are never fun!), we are solidly in Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) training season. My teammates and I did a training ride on Saturday before the rain hit. It was my first of many outdoor training rides to come this spring and summer. Getting ready to ride my 23rd PMC takes effort, and I look forward to putting in the work this year. 

23 isn’t a particularly remarkable milestone year, but there are some significances about this year’s ride that I should highlight. 

Maggie having fun at Dana-Farber!

• Worcester Start. For the first time since 1981 (the year I was born), the PMC will not begin in Sturbridge. Last year, we said goodbye to the PMC’s longest-standing starting location, and this year we welcome the new starting location: the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. This shortens the Day 1 route by about 9 miles, but don’t worry, I have a plan to more than make up for that! 
• Half My Life. I’m 44. I rode my first PMC when I was 22 (ironically, while living in Worcester, which makes the new Worcester start that much more meaningful). Half my life - and my entire adult life - has involved me riding the PMC. It is as much a part of my identity as my career. And I have no plans to change that anytime soon. 
• Maggie. Team Kinetic Karma has a new Pedal Partner this year! Maggie is a vibrant six year old currently undergoing cancer treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Rocking her signature pink headband, she always makes a bee line to the resource room at the clinic to play with Dana-Farber staff and volunteers. I am excited to meet her this summer on a team training ride! 

One of the primary reasons I keep coming back to ride the PMC is the huge impact it has on life-saving cancer discoveries. Last year, the PMC raised $78 million that directly went to fund an amazing array of investments in a cancer-free future. Notably, $10.6 million went to fight pediatric cancers. Pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children in the United States. At the same time, its rarity in comparison to adult cancer has discouraged industry investment in the development of new treatments. As Dana-Farber’s top supporter of pediatric oncology, the PMC has played a paramount role in filling this critical funding gap. Children like Maggie and all of our past Pedal Partners have and will benefit from your support of the PMC and Dana-Farber. 

Ready to ride year 23!

The other $67.2 million went to other extremely worthwhile investments in the fight against cancer - hematologic oncology, gastrointestinal oncology, radiation oncology, and neuro-oncology to name a few. Additionally, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is investing in its labs, patient care facilities, and its people to continue to grow and improve how it conducts research and delivers compassionate care to its over 100,000 patients annually. 

You, my donors, are a huge part of these advancements and investments. And due to the efficiency of the PMC (100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to the Jimmy Fund, the fundraising arm of Dana-Farber), you can be sure that your hard-earned dollars are going as far as possible toward the fight against cancer. 

My fundraising goal this year is $20,000. Ambitious? Yes. But the unrestricted funding that the PMC raises through your donations enables Dana-Farber scientists to achieve their many breakthroughs. This is why I ride, year after year, and ask you to make your generous contributions. Together, we are making cancer HISTORY. 

Please make your cancer-fighting donation today. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.