In just 18 days I will be participating in the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC). For those of you that are not familiar with the PMC, it is a bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 100% of every dollar raised is donated to Dana Farber. Since the PMC started in 1980 the organization has raised over half-billion dollars for cancer research!
I look forward to this event every summer. For over 5 years, I have been volunteering for the PMC with my Mom. There are multiple sites where you can volunteer to support the over 6,000 riders that participate in the event, but our favorite spot is in Provincetown where we have the privilege of watching the riders cross the finish line (including my brother who has finished the race 9 times!). The energy at the Provincetown Inn finish line is hard to put into words. There are smiles, laughs, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. Unfortunately most people know someone or they themselves have been affected by cancer. The finish line is a celebration of life (past, present and future) where everyone comes together in hopes to find a cure. As I type this I get goosebumps thinking of the emotions that surround that day. It's SO special to be apart of it.
This year is an extra special PMC for me. It will be my FIRST year participating as a rider. My mom has a family wedding to attend during PMC weekend so I thought "if I don't have my volunteer buddy, I should ride". So just like that, I registered to ride the 2 day race from Sturbridge to Provincetown. Over the course of those two days I will bike 192 miles (yes you read that correctly ... one hundred and ninety-two miles!).
In addition to this year being my first as a rider, I have the privilege to ride with my brother and as the captain of Team Hologic (where I work!) This is the companies first year participating in the event and it was a natural fit since Hologic develops cancer prevention products for women's health. My hope is that this is the first of many year's Hologic participates in the event.
I am dedicating my first year as a rider in the PMC to my Uncle Ken. My Uncle Ken passed away over 3 years ago to cancer. He was an AMAZING man whose life was unfortunately cut short by this awful disease. I will never forget his positive energy, polka moves and whoopie pie kisses. He truly was a one-of-a-kind individual who made an ever lasting impact on everyone's life he touched.
Please help support me as I ride in this year's event. My goal is to raise at least $4,800. You can make a donation by clicking the link below. I appreciate your love and support. "Just keep pedaling!"
