This year i will be riding in my 3rd Pan Mass Challenge and 6th year as a volunteer! Im so excited to be participating in this great ride again : )

In January of 2005, we received news that my Gram was diagnosed with lung cancer. My first instinct was, it's ok, she will fight this. And of course, she reassured me that the chemotherapy would work and if not they will perform surgery. She had more courage and strength then anyone I've ever known. I knew she could do this.
After hearing this news I went back to school to begin my second semester of college. When I called she was still herself, happy and cheerful just like before. Always wondering, How's school going Kels? I would always tell her how hard it was. She was always saying I could do it and how proud she was. She stuck by everyone in our family and kept us all going strong. Even though she needed us more than ever before, she was still the one giving us hope and keeping us faithful. She was the heart of our family.
I still remember every summer like it was yesterday. All the grandkids were shipped to Gram and Grampa's house. It was like Disney World. The days at King's Castle, the hours we spent playing board games, going to peaceful meadows, ordering every appetizer at Yanghztee, and of course, sitting around the table playing hours and hours of cards. She the complete "package" of a gram.


She was always so optimistic. She looked for the good in everything. When she began to lose her hair she would tell us, old men don't know how good they have it. At first I didn't know how to react to her being so positive about this. Then I realized it helped her get through the day by laughing at it. Even through chemotherapy she attended my sister, Julie's, high school graduation. It was one of the hottest days of the summer, but nothing was stopping her. She was the gram at every graduation, dance show, and sport yelling the loudest.

Her disease progressed quickly.  I just couldnt believe something was stronger than my gram and taking her away from me...

Late in May of that year, my mom told me that Gram had a CT and her cancer had moved to her brain. Around August they told her they had to stop chemotherapy because it wasn't working. The doctor said they would be sending hospice to her house, and to go about her life just like before. She said to him, soooo I can eat as much ice cream as I want? GOD I miss her....

I didn't want to believe it. I spent as much time with her as I could. We split peaceful meadows ice cream(her favorite) in bed, while listening to a million stories. I was so glad for that time together. She would always ask how I was doing with this and if I was going to be okay. I don't know if I have ever met someone so selfless and special.


On August 8th 2005, my gram had passed away. That day our family changed forever. She was an amazing great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, sister, and wife. She was the meaning of family to me. She taught me how to love. She loved unconditionally and never judged. I will always remember her fight, her optimism, her love, and her HUGE Brooks Hug. She will be in our hearts forever.

This August I am joining the Pan-Mass Challenge for my 3rd ride!! I will be riding with TEAM LEGS. This is a team dedicated to the PMC and to helping raise money for Dana-Farber. Every team member has a different reason for riding, and we all come together on those 2 special days in August.

I will be riding for my gram, cancer survivors, people battling cancer, and their families. If I have half the strength my grandmother had, then I know I can do this ride again! I know my two biggest fans will be cheering me on. EMB, MEP <3 Miss you everyday. 

I'm writing to you to ask for your help. I will be riding from Wellesley to Ptown, a total of 164 miles. Every little bit will help us get closer to a cure, and maybe make a difference in someone else's family.