Dear Family and Friends,

My daughter Emily was 2 and Julia was only 5 months old in 2003 when I found a lump on my throat. Tests and surgery followed with lightening speed and the reality didn’t really hit until I woke from the operation to see my mom and husband staring at me with red eyes. In that moment, I knew I had cancer.

Like so many others, I wanted to scream, “Why me? My kids are much too young for me to leave them.”

Fortunately, my treatment was successful and today, I’m still cancer-free.

Unfortunately, however, cancer continues to impact my life. My grandmother, my young cousin, my friends, my clients ...it seems as if there’s another life-or-death battle every time I turn around. That’s why this year I’ve committed myself to join the fight against cancer.  Some of you may have been involved in my efforts to help my friend Eileen (a breast cancer survivor), raise lots of money for Dana Farber and complete the Boston Marathon.  Helping her achieve her goals has been one of my most rewarding experiences both personally and professionally.  The emotions that go along with an experience like that are unforgettable. 

Eileen gave it her all and completed the marathon! Then she asked: "So NOW what are you going to do?"  I was thrilled to be able to respond with..."The Pan-Mass Challenge!"  We desperately need to raise funds to find better ways to prevent, heal and cure. We need more cancer SURVIVORS -- friends and family who are living proof that cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence anymore!  I’m putting my heart, soul and legs into this by riding the toughest course of the Pan-Mass Challenge -- 192 miles of cycling on August 7th and 8th, traveling from Sturbridge to Provincetown. 

My motto is:  "My heart, my soul, my legs, for more Survivors." My friend Amanda came up with "192 miles in 2 days...What's your excuse?" and I love it!!  She's right.  I have no excuse.  I am a healthy individual more than capable of helping those who need help. I CAN and WILL do it!  My backbone is made of some powerful DNA.  My family is strong, determined, caring and compassionate.  All of that will help me to the finish.

Would you believe that I signed up without even owning a bike?  I bought it the next day and now I’m hard at work preparing for this ride. In addition to a shiny new bike to get me there, I have a group of cycling friends who ride with me in spin class and on the road.  I am also on the "Miles for Mary" cycling team.  I am happy to be helping out such a great group that rides for such an amazing little girl.  Mary Eisnor, of Berkley, MA, is 7 years old with a rare liver cancer.  (Keep in mind, my girls are 8 and almost 7, so this hits home.)  Mary was diagnosed in 2006. Her mom credits Dana Farber's research and the PMC for keeping her girl alive.  Mary is constantly in new clinical trials and trying more drugs hoping for a quality of life that does not revolve around the hospital.  Mary is terminal.  But her mom is hopeful that the cancer research (and their faith) will find a cure for Mary.  Please help us make Mary Eisnor a SURVIVOR too!!!  (To learn more about Mary, you can go to www.milesformary.org).

Over the last 30 years, tens of thousands of people have ridden across the Commonwealth in the PMC with one goal in mind:  "Funding cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund”. Together, PMC cyclists have raised more than $270 million, crucial funds that have improved the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones around the globe. Just think of how many lives the PMC has already saved! 

Please join me in helping to save even more. One in four of us will face our own challenges with this dreadful disease during the course of our lives. And I’m sure your life has already been impacted by a cancer diagnosis in a friend, coworker or loved one. The PMC is a way for the healthy to fight for the ill, and for all of us to invest in the future cure.

Here is a list of my upcoming fundraisers.  Please save the following dates in your calendar:

May 8th & June 12th:  Boston Sports Club in Franklin---- 8am-noon Spin-a-thon.  $5.00 per 30 minutes.  Members and non-members are welcome.  I have 25 bikes so that could be a $1000/day!

June 27th:   Surly Johnson's in Raynham Rte 138 ...It all starts at 3pm.

A $20 donation at the door gets you a lunch buffet and a "PMC/Miles for Mary" T-shirt.  We will have various raffle prizes from items donated to our event.  We will hold a Silent auction and a 50/50 raffle that day.  Surly's is great and doesn't charge for the food, they just encourage us to drink up and tip well. This means all of the money after buying the t-shirts and any auction items, goes directly to PMC.  

TBD...A Zumbathon!!! 

More info to come...Watch your emails!!!  Please feel free to promote as much as you can.  The big things I need are raffle items for the Surly Johnson's event.  Silent Auction items, like sporting event tickets, would be great if you have access to them.  If you can't donate, maybe you know someone who could?  How about someone with a business who is looking for publicity that might want to sponsor our team? 

Any donation will be much appreciated. Your tax-deductible check can be made payable to PMC/Jimmy Fund and mailed to my address below.   Please, while you are thinking of it, make your donation now at www.pmc.org/profile/CN0052. 

Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. Together, we can make a difference and save lives!

With Love,

Cori Newcomb

Cancer Survivor and PMC Rider

Cori Newcomb

248 Mohawk Road

Raynham MA  02767

newcombfitness@comcast.net