So, I knew it would happen.  I got hooked on biking.  I’m already looking forward to my second year participating in the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC), a 180 mile charity bike ride across Massachusetts in August as a part of Team Perry. The PMC is the largest fund-raising event for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.  I will be riding one day from Wellesley to Bourne ��" almost 90 miles!  I am also going to be a triathlete in June when I do my first sprint “Tri” (I already got the lingo down)…it will be good training for the PMC!

As I write this letter I’m about to celebrate 7 years cancer free.  It seems like just yesterday I received my diagnosis.   I feel so fortunate to have successfully won my battle with cancer.  Unfortunately, there are so many people who are not as lucky.  I can honestly say that I am a changed person since being diagnosed and cured!  I try not to sweat the small stuff, I try to be a great friend and I try to find meaningful ways to give back. 

The PMC has provided a great outlet for me to continue my effort to give back to people not as fortunate as myself!  I will once again ride with my dear friend Melissa and 60 other members of Team Perry.  Our Team rides in memory of Melissa’s first husband, Perry.  Perry was 32 years old when he lost his short battle with cancer of the small bowel.  I was fortunate to know Perry and knew that he had an incredible spirit of competition and the motivation necessary to succeed in all endeavors.  He embraced each day of his life with passion and enthusiasm so I am thrilled to ride in his honor.

Shortly after Perry’s death the Perry S. Levy Fund for Gastrointestinal Cancer Research was established at Dana Farber.  Based on the money Team Perry has raised over the past 10 years, we have the proud honor of supporting a Fellow at the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center (GCC) at Dana Farber.  The teams fundraising support the fellow’s annual salary as well as research efforts at Dana Farber.  The fellow specifically focuses research on cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.  These cancers will affect over 250,000 Americans this year.  Dana Farber is making wonderful advances in treatment of these cancers and we are proud to be able to contribute to their efforts.

Please help me and Team Perry fight against cancer so no one has to say goodbye so young again.  To donate please make checks payable to “PMC-Jimmy Fund” and send to me at 135 Pleasant Street, #602, Brookline, MA 02446 or click on the donate to my ride buttom for easy online giving.  The money that we raise will directly benefit the Perry S. Levy Fund for Gastrointestinal Cancer Research. 

Thank you very much. 

Love,

Marci

Marci's PMC Total

$0

Goal

$3,000

My Progress