Friends:

In August I will be riding the PanMass Challenge (PMC).  As many of you know, the PMC is a 2 day 192 mile bike ride in which more than 4,000 riders raise over $30,000,000 for the treatment and eventual cure of cancer at the Dana Farber Cancer Center here in Boston.  100% of the rider-generated contributions go directly to Dana Farber.

This will be my 6^th year riding the PMC and it is truly one of the highlights of my year.

On Saturday morning we will be lining up before dawn in Sturbridge and we’ll be pedaling into Provincetown on Sunday in time for lunch.  In between the roads will be lined with cheering spectators, great volunteers and those special spectators holding up signs that say simply “I am a survivor, Thank you.”  I’ll be riding along with cancer survivors, those whose families have been affected by the disease and other riders who are truly inspirational. 

I need your help in two ways:

First, please click on the following link (www.pmc.org/profile/CG0107 ) or send a check payable to the PMC and do what you can to help me hit my fundraising goal. Compared to the training for the ride, fundraising is really the hard part!

Second, I ride in memory of my Dad, Diane’s stepfather, aunt and father all who have died from this horrible disease.  I ride in honor of a number of friends who are fighting and who have fought this disease and who are truly warriors and survivors.  I carry their names on a laminated card that hangs on my bike during the ride and is visible to other riders and spectators.  I take them “along for the ride” because I can, because it inspires me, because it inspires others and because riding a bike is trivial in comparison to fighting cancer.  I’d like to hear your stories and I would be honored to ride for your heroes…please let me know who they are through email (hagreer3@yahoo.com) or find me on facebook.

Thanks for your support and your generosity!

Chip

136 Oliver Road

Waban, MA 02468