August 7 and 8, 2010 will be the 31^st annual bicycle ride to benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund.  As many of you know, the Jimmy Fund Clinic has successfully treated thousands of children from New England and throughout the world.  The bicycle ride, which is known as the Pan Massachusetts Challenge (PMC), began in 1980 and has raised over $265 million since that time.  The two-day ride is from Sturbridge to Provincetown, Massachusetts, - a total distance of 194 miles. 

This will be my 16^th year participating in the PMC.  Looking back at my first PMC, I can't believe that it's now been 15 years.  At that time, I was a cyclist but not a cyclist.  The longest ride I had done up to that point was on the order of 35 miles.  That's a far cry from the 115 miles I had to do on the first day and another 85 miles the second day through torrential rain.  I was never so happy as when I was coming through the Province Lands - a very hilly area and heard someone say that we were coming up to the last hill and were only two miles from the finish.  What a thrill!  It was a real trial but once I was done I knew that with a little more training, I could look forward to this as an annual event.  What kept me going that year (1995) was that my father and mother-in-law had recently passed away.  Their memory and those of all the others I have ridden for over the last 14 years gives me that push I sometimes need over the tough hills and through the nasty weather.  There are numerous success stories.  One of them is a young boy who holds a sign every year along the PMC route.  The first year I noticed the sign and the little boy holding it, the sign said: "I'm 4 because of you."  Last year it said: "I'm 15 because of you."  It is success stories like this that make it all worthwhile. 

As most of you know, every year I dedicate my ride to someone who has battled or is battling cancer.  This year I am dedicating it to a friend of my wife's and mine who lost his father only then to find out that he was himself suffering from cancer.  His name is Bill Taylor and he is an amazing person.  Bill is President and CEO of Advocates, Inc., a Framingham based human service organization, where he began working more than 28 years ago. Bill is legendary across the state for his leadership and dedication in ensuring that our most vulnerable residents receive what is necessary for them to live as meaningful and independent lives as possible.  Although he was diagnosed about a year ago with esophageal cancer, his tireless work and vision continue to inspire us all.

To participate in the PMC, I need to raise a minimum of $4,000 and am requesting your help.  Last year, many of you came forward and I was able to raise over $8,000!!  To date your contributions to total over $107,000!!!  Given the economy, I have kept my goal this year at $10,000.  The size of the donation does not matter - whatever you can contribute will help.  I hope to achieve the $10,000 goal and would greatly appreciate it if you or your firm would pledge toward this worthwhile cause.  In return, I am making a pledge to you.  If you or someone close to you has battled or is now fighting cancer, please give me their name or names to put on the list and I will carry these names with me during my entire ride.  I often think of these names during the ride and it helps me get through the tough miles that tend to come up along the way.  In addition, I am issuing a challenge of my own.  Last year, my firm matched the largest single gift of $500 from Community Newspapers (CNC).  This year we will match the largest single gift up to $1,000. 

Please note that, if you want to, you can pledge over the Internet with your credit card.  The web site is: https://www.pmc.org/egifts/.  All you have to put in is my eGift ID, which is JL0037, my first and last name, my city (Ashland) and State (MA).  Then you will go to a screen where you can enter your name, pledge amount, and credit card number.  If you are making a pledge over the Internet, please email the names to: Jloitherstein@loitherstein.com.  However, if you do not feel comfortable charging over the Internet, please send me a check made out to "The Jimmy Fund" along with this letter listing any names that you would like me to carry on the ride then put this letter in the enclosed envelope, and mail it to me. 

Thank you so much for your generosity and for helping us all on the road to find a cure!

Joel