I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure.

Many of you may have heard about fund raisers that I have done in the past, and ones that I have done that have hit close to home. This time I have made a commitment to ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) which raises money for cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. This spectacular event raised more than $35 million last year by donating 100% of all rider raised funds to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.The PMC holds the promise of helping eradicate this disease which affects millions each year.

You may have heard me talk about my goal of wanting to ride in the PMC. I was moved to ride in the PMC in memory of my father, William Baker, who lost his battle to cancer 20 years ago this year. In the face of a disease that left me feeling so helpless, I am optimistic and believe that riding in the PMC gives me hope, that some day there will be a cure for cancer. This year will be my first PMC and I have chosen to ride the Sturbridge start. What that means is my first day I will cover 110 miles, followed by an 84 mile ride the second day with the finish in Provincetown, MA. For those of you that didn't know him, my best friend, my father, my mentor and my inspiration these words describe him best; compassion, tolerance, imagination, resilience, exuberance, happiness, spirit, and love.
He taught me never to give up, never to give in, and to always do something good despite the difficulties that I may encounter.

When I was a little girl, my father, bought me my first bike and taught me to ride. It was a lilac and white banana bike with a speckled purple seat. After riding that bike for a long time, I was able to talk my dad in to helping me customize my bike. My dad knew that I hated the color, so he helped me paint it a royal blue with a white racing strip. We put on a racing tire in the back and a brand new seat, speckled midnight blue.
To this day, I still love to ride, although it is not the same banana bike, I still think about him teaching me how to ride, and the way he encouraged me to ride further and faster. If you would like to read more about my biking adventures, feel free to visit my PMC site.

Cancer has affected us all in one way or another, I hope that you will please join me by making the PMC your avenue to making a difference in the fight against cancer. I understand that these economic times are difficult for all of us but remember, cancer takes no rest, no vacation, needs no help, and is not slowed by the economy.

The PMC is a fully supported bike-a-thon with food and water stops, mechanical and medical assistance, luggage transportation, and lodging that runs through 46 towns across Massachusetts. More than 5,000 cyclists are expected to ride this year. Cyclists choose from ten routes of varying mileage designed to cater to all levels of cycling strength and time availability. I have chosen to ride the original Two-day 190-mile Sturbridge to Provincetown route, In 2010, cyclists are required to raise between $500 and $4,200 to ride in the PMC, depending on the chosen route. The route that I have chosen has a minimum fund raising of 4,200, and I have set a goal to raise 5,000 dollars for the 31st annual PMC on August 7 & 8, 2010.

If your employer has a matching gift program, you can get the form from your HR department, and follow the employer process for matches.

Please feel free to contribute what ever you can or share my story to help in our continuing efforts to help wipe cancer off the face of the earth. When you think of me on my bike on August 7 and 8, your spirit will be with me.

To take part in this event I am asking for your help in achieving this goal. Donations are tax deductible and may be made online at http://www.pmc.org/egifts/LB0205.
Any contribution you can make toward my ride would be most gratefully appreciated. The PMC is a way for me to honor my father who met his battle with high hopes, unshakeable faith and a buoyant spirit of determination. Like anything else he did in life, he gave it his very best. Life is worth living, was his message to others.

To donate, you can send a check to me, payable to PMC,The Jimmy Fund or Dana Farber Cancer Institute or to donate on-line, go to: http://www.pmc.org/egifts/LB0205. If there is someone special that you would like me to include on my ride in honor/memory of, please let me know  his or her name and I will include their name on my ride. If you have a story that you would like to share, I would like to include your story on my rider profile. If you would like to read more about my story and why I have decided to ride, feel free to visit my PMC site. You can also keep up with my adventures as time gets closer.

I thank you in advance for your kindness, generosity and prayers.

Riding for Dad, with love & hope for others to find a cure,
Many thanks in advance for joining me in this challenge. I do believe that together we can make a difference. I will be in touch after PMC weekend to share my PMC weekend experience.