WHY I RIDE …

Dear Friends and Family,

As many of you know this August I will be riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge; a 2 day 192 mile bike ride across Massachusetts to raise money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.  To date the PMC has raised $303 million dollars. I have logged in many training miles and hours this spring.   It is hard to believe we are into summer and PMC weekend is really approaching in just a few weeks.

This year will be my 6^th year riding the PMC with Team Perry.   Since 2001, Team Perry has raised almost 3 million dollars. The Perry S. Levy Fund for Gastrointestinal Cancer Research at Dana Farber (established shortly after Perry's death), provides for the annual salary of gifted medical research doctors whose valuable contributions will help find a cure. Our first five recipients have received appointments to the Harvard Medical School faculty and are medical oncologists at the Dana-Farber Institute or Mass General Hospital; this year we will be supporting 2 Fellows - Our dollars are producing real results.  We are getting closer to both prevention and the cure for cancer. 

In addition this year my ride will be in support of my dear friend Michele Salvucci, who was recently diagnosed with head and neck cancer and under going an aggressive treatment schedule.  Counting down the remaining treatments - She has been so strong, is doing great, has a positive attitude, and is determined to get through this challenge.

Why do I ride?  There are too many reasons….in memory of lost loved ones, in honor of survivors and in support of friends and family.  Participating in the PMC is a special event for me and is an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

My training and fundraising goals are ambitious; and once again I rely on the generous donations from friends, family and colleagues to support my dedication and commitment to ride.

I know we are all inundated with requests to contribute to charitable causes; but I think it is safe to say that cancer is the most widespread and devastating disease that has touched all of us in one way or another. 

I hope you will help me to reach my goal!  Your donation is tax deductible and any contribution is greatly appreciated!  Without your generous support it’s just a really long bike ride…

So go ahead, they’ve made it easy.  You can donate to my ride on line at www.pmc.org/egifts and click the “Donate to My Ride” or the eGift button, ID is KS0106; and help us make a difference in the fight against cancer.  If you prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to “PMC/Jimmy Fund” and send it to my home address.  Karen Snyder - 60 South Main Street, Natick, MA  01760.

I hope this email finds you well.  Thank you in advance for your friendship and continued support!

Let’s work together to make cancer History!

Take care and wishing you all the best,

Karen