Year 4 is upon us and I'm very excited to get back out on the bike again!  Team Xaverian has made some huge strides in just a few short years and we have big expectations for 2010.  Over the last 3 years, we've raised almost $100,000 for Dr. Manley and the pediatric neuro-oncology team at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.  The money raised has allowed a number of things to happen for Dr. Manley and his team. 

 

First, the Outcomes program has been able to increase the frequency of their programs and expand the types of programs they provide.  The Outcomes program helps brain cancer patients socialize with other brain cancer patients and survivors.  The programs range from dinners, ropes courses, arts and crafts programs, and a multitude of other events.  Before our donations, programs like this only took place once or twice a year.  Since then, the programs have been at least monthly.  Feedback from the patients and their families has been very positive.  Patients have had positive experiences interacting and socializing with people who are going through the same experience as them and parents have had a similar experience with other parents of patients. 

 

Second, our donations have provided money for more research.  In order to secure larger government grants for research, Dr. Manley must provide initial research and data to the government supporting the future research.  In the past funds weren't always available through Dana Farber for the initial research.  Our donations have provided those funds and supported Dr. Manley's team in their initial research projects.

 

On the team front, Team Xaverian is expanding again in 2010.  We've grown from 4 riders in 2007 to almost 20 riders now in 2010!! We're still trying to nail down a final fundraising goal for the team, but it will be our largest fundraising year yet!! 

 

As always, none of this would be possible without your support!  Your donations and support for us during our training and ride means the world.   The care and research for cancer patients at Dana Farber is far better because of people like you and we can't thank you enough!  In advance, thank you again for supporting me, Team Xaverian, and most importantly, cancer research at Dana Farber.  Keep an eye out for me and the rest of Team Xaverian on the roads. 

 

Sincerely,

        Andy