Martin Middelmann's Ride

In 2011, it suddenly became more personal...

A month before my 2009 PMC ride my step-father, Rodney Johnson, was diagnosed with Renal Cancer. A week after my 2009 ride his kidney was removed. It turned out to be Stage 3 Renal Cancer and they believe they "got it all". He had successfully completed his chemotherapy treatments and was being monitored in case it comes back.

In 2010, my mother and step-father, Rod, had met me at the Finish line in P-Town. It was their first experience seeing the Pan Mass Challenge up close.

That year was Rod's 1 year anniversary of his operation to remove his cancer ridden kidney. It wasn't until that weekend, watching the PMC, that it ever hit him that he was a survivor.

They were both emotionally charged up by the event and were making plans to volunteer for this year. (The PMC has over 3,000 volunteers working the event!)

2011...

I was looking forward to seeing Rod at the PMC finish in Provincetown again this August.

However, he passed away on June 16th, 2011.

Rod reading 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' to Catherine and Lizzie.

The cancer came back in the form of a brain tumor. After 2 surgeries to remove the brain tumor and stop the residual bleeding, everybody was looking forward to rehabilitation and a long recovery. However, on the morning of June 16th, his body gave up the fight. In less than a week the cancer that was in his brain spread throughout his body and it was too much.

So this year, my ride is much more personal. It will be very emotional arriving in Provincetown this year and seeing my mother waiting for me without Rod by her side.

Prior to riding the Pan Mass Challenge, I never really thought that much how cancer has touched the lives around me. So I've started putting together a couple of lists. I'm sure it will grow as I learn about more stories.

In Memory ofIn Honor of
  • Rod Johnson, Step-Father 11/9/1942 - 6/16/2011
  • Xavier "X" Yepez, High School Classmate (Featured in My 2009 PMC Story. )
  • Elmer Simko, My Grandfather
  • Martin Bomba, My Uncle
  • Mary Catherine O'Brian, My Wife's Aunt
  • Jennifer Loui, Graduate School Classmate
  • Sheri Perticca, High School Friend's Wife
  • Josephine Badger, Fomer Colleague's Wife
  • Esther Earl, former babysitter's 16 year old sister.
  • Paul Vertucci's Aunt Rose
  • Chris Valcourt's Uncle Ronnie and Friend Mike.
  • The Morris Twins (Charles and Donald) grandfathers: Charles Morris and Charles Nicodemus
  • Family members that Tina Giakoumis has lost to cancer:
    • Frank Giakoumis
    • Sheila Giakoumis
    • Nick Giakoumis
    • Danny Giakoumis
    • Aunt Polly & Uncle Phil
  • My good friend Cathy Youngmann's mother
  • My best friend's father: Robert Dannemiller
  • A good friend of a good friend: Alyson Lilienkamp Durlock
  • Anne Simko, My Mother
  • Jennifer (Seastrand) Kaden, High School Friend
  • Christina (McAloney) Scienski, Elementary School Classmate
  • Chris Greklek, College Roommate
  • Amie (Shapiro) White, Graduate School Classmate
  • Janet Suleski, Graduate School Classmate
  • Karen Nadeau, Graduate School Classmate
  • Mary Endres, A good friend's Sister

So I ask you to support my fund raising efforts and rid this world of cancer. Make a donation in honor of Rod and all those we have lost to cancer!





Total Raised

$0

Goal

$6,400

Progress




Last year, 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to the Jimmy Fund.

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Links

Marty Ride the Pan Mass Challenge
My public FaceBook page where you can follow my fund raising efforts, view pictures from past rides, and follow me on PMC Weekend as I update live from the Ride!

My Paceline Supporters

My Rides

2012 $0 Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day)
2011 $6,403 Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day)
2010 $4,800.1 Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day)
2009 $4,278 Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day)
Martin's Personal Gallery