Dear Friends and Family,

In a few weeks I am embarking on my third Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), a 5,000 person, 2-day, 192 mile bike ride across Massachusetts to raise money for cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.  Though I’m confident that I’ll complete the ride, I’m still searching for this year’s fundraising “hook.”

Year 1 was easy �" many of you generously supported me on my inaugural ride, figuring that I’d be a PMC “flash in the pan” and never repeat.  (See 2009 PMC photo, attached - I’m the guy second from the left.)

Year 2 was even easier �" many of you said, “if he’s crazy enough to ride a tricycle with broken bones and stitches [which I acquired in a training accident a few weeks before the PMC], I’m definitely supporting him.” (See 2010 PMC Trike photo, attached.)    

Now that I’m back for a third year, I may need to juggle flaming swords atop a unicycle for 200 miles to improve my fundraising prospects.  I remain hopeful, though, that the cause itself -- and the tremendous impact that your contributions have on it �" will inspire your support this year.   

I will be riding again with Team Kermit, a group that cycles in honor of the team leader’s son, Jared, who died in 2006 at the age of 23 after a heartbreaking 2 ½ year battle with brain and spinal cancer.  Kermit the Frog was Jared’s favorite childhood character, so Team Kermit riders wear colorful cycling uniforms emblazoned with Kermit the Frog, and don a stuffed Kermit on their helmets -- a fan favorite at the PMC.  I’m also riding to honor and support more friends who began battling or died from cancer in the past year.  

Please consider supporting the PMC and helping me achieve my fundraising goal of $10,000, every dollar of which will be directly contributed to the Jimmy Fund (http://www.jimmyfund.org), the charity that supports the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (total PMC fundraising since the ride's inception 30+ years ago is $303 million).  In the meantime, I’ll be shopping for a unicycle, swords and lighter fluid.

All donations are tax-deductible. 

Thank you so much for your consideration and support.

Kyle