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Dear Friends,

When my kids face difficult challenges, I try to find ways to inspire them.   As I now face a personal challenge, I have to look no further than the courage of a three year old boy to find mine.  In January, I was asked by my friend Jeff DeLisi to join Team Luca, a group of cyclists participating in the 2007 Pan Mass Challenge (PMC).  On August 4^th , I will ride with my teammates from Sturbridge, MA, to the Bourne Bridge, a total of 111 miles.  While you may think I'm crazy, the next day some of my teammates and thousands of others will ride an additional 80 miles out to Provincetown!

To understand why we would do this, you have to know Luca, our team's namesake, and Jeff and his wife Megan' s son.  Closing in on age 3, Luca was a happy and healthy child until mid-December 2004, when he began to have unusual medical symptoms.   A CAT scan and MRI revealed a large tumor at the base of his brain.  Although the tumor was removed immediately, the cancer had been delivered to his central nervous system through the circulation of his spinal fluid.  His chances of survival were estimated at 40% to 60%.  Luca's parents were given very few options, all of which were extremely unattractive.  When chemotherapy didn't work, radiation therapy was recommended as his last best chance, despite the devastating neurological consequences.   For six weeks, Luca underwent daily radiation therapy.  However, the cancer was out of control and a subsequent MRI revealed that tumors had begun to grow on Luca's spine.  He went home, where he became paralyzed due to the spinal tumors.   Luca was a child warrior who endured surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hundreds of undignified procedures without protest.  Despite waging a valiant effort, Luca died in his mother's arms on June 29, 2005, six months after the onset of his symptoms.  My words can not adequately portray Luca, or the gravity of his illness.  I encourage you to visit the following link to fully appreciate why we ride: www.lucaslight.org.

Jeff and Megan's strength and courage are truly remarkable.  As they went through Luca's ordeal, they found that treatment options and research funding for pediatric brain cancer were sorely lacking.  Team Luca, and its mission to ride in the PMC, were conceived to help change these facts.  For those who are unfamiliar with the PMC, more than 99 cents of each dollar raised goes directly to the Jimmy Fund to fund cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer.   We are proud that all Team Luca funds will be specifically earmarked within The Jimmy Fund for pediatric brain tumor research.

Your tax deductible donation, in any amount, is greatly appreciated.  You can either donate online at the link listed below, or mail your check made out to "PMC/Jimmy Fund" directly to me at 8 Tupelo Drive, Hingham, MA, 02043.  Thank you in advance for considering sponsoring me in this very important cause!  Wishing you good health and happiness,

Chris

Christine's PMC Total

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