David Greene's Ride
Why I Ride ...
The first time I rode the Pan-Mass Challenge I was overwhelmed by the flood of emotions I experienced. I had never felt part of such a large community of people who had gathered for one purpose. I expect this year's ride to be even more emotional.
On October 27, 2011 my Mom, Magda Greene, died at age 84, more than 5 years after she was first diagnosed with breast cancer.
Although cancer was the direct cause of Mom's death, and I miss her horribly, I don't feel like she "lost her fight". She endured countless rounds of chemo and radiation, and a small detour for open-heart surgery. She demonstrated a super-human level of strength and courage and never even considered opting out of treatment. Even in her last days, she was summoning every ounce of strength she had and enduring pain I can't imagine to get to chemo, just because that's what she felt she had to do.
I know Mom's story isn't unique, but I think it needs to be told, so I'm dedicating this, my 4th PMC, to her memory.
I am also once again riding in honor of Henry Fenollosa, the son of my Car Talk colleague, Catherine "Frau Blucher" Fenollosa. Henry was diagnosed with cancer the day before he was born, and began chemo when he was one day old. This year, Henry is turning 7. He’s riding a bike, and doing other kid stuff, thanks in large part to treatment he received at Dana-Farber--treatment that was made possible in part by past Pan-Mass contributors. You can read Henry's full story at: hhttp://www.cartalk.com/content/features/henry5/henry-story.html
And, I'm riding in honor of relatives and friends who've been diagnosed with cancer over the last few years. Their strength, determination, and good humor never cease to amaze me.
I'm riding Pan-Mass because it's what I can do. I know I'm not gonna be the one to discover a cure for cancer, but, maybe my legs can bring in the $50 a researcher needs for a piece of equipment, or the $100 to complete an experiment. I'm also riding to be part of this community, to feel less alone as I try to make sense of cancer.
On October 27, 2011 my Mom, Magda Greene, died at age 84, more than 5 years after she was first diagnosed with breast cancer.
Although cancer was the direct cause of Mom's death, and I miss her horribly, I don't feel like she "lost her fight". She endured countless rounds of chemo and radiation, and a small detour for open-heart surgery. She demonstrated a super-human level of strength and courage and never even considered opting out of treatment. Even in her last days, she was summoning every ounce of strength she had and enduring pain I can't imagine to get to chemo, just because that's what she felt she had to do.
I know Mom's story isn't unique, but I think it needs to be told, so I'm dedicating this, my 4th PMC, to her memory.
I am also once again riding in honor of Henry Fenollosa, the son of my Car Talk colleague, Catherine "Frau Blucher" Fenollosa. Henry was diagnosed with cancer the day before he was born, and began chemo when he was one day old. This year, Henry is turning 7. He’s riding a bike, and doing other kid stuff, thanks in large part to treatment he received at Dana-Farber--treatment that was made possible in part by past Pan-Mass contributors. You can read Henry's full story at:
And, I'm riding in honor of relatives and friends who've been diagnosed with cancer over the last few years. Their strength, determination, and good humor never cease to amaze me.
I'm riding Pan-Mass because it's what I can do. I know I'm not gonna be the one to discover a cure for cancer, but, maybe my legs can bring in the $50 a researcher needs for a piece of equipment, or the $100 to complete an experiment. I'm also riding to be part of this community, to feel less alone as I try to make sense of cancer.
David's PMC Total
$1,800
Goal
$4,300
My Progress
My Online Supporters
| Jay Clayton | |||
| John Emery | |||
| L M Wilson | For your mother, my aunt Rita & friend Danny. | ||
| Jane Christo | $25 | For your mom, David. Jane and Van | |
| Charity Stafford | Pledged in honor/memory of too many this year... | ||
| Glenn and Jane Rifkin | Once again, you are doing a great thing. | ||
| Carrie Greene | Thanks for riding again, David! Go team! | ||
| Charles Ashley | $25 | ||
| Eve Greene | In honor of your mother and other relatives | ||
| Susan Greene | Thanks for riding-I'm with you in spirit! | ||
| Steve Bralla | |||
| David Stillman | 192 miles, quite a challenge, for such a cause | ||
| Joyce Linehan | |||
| Ken Bader | $50 | Happy to help. Thanks for asking and for riding. | |
| Michelle Seaton | Good luck! | ||
| Eric Helmuth | |||
| Huzzah to the Challenge! |
