#WhyIPMC guest blog by Donald Harbison, 17-year rider/Virtual Rider & volunteer, Team Heidi's Heroes
This is my 17th PMC fund raising campaign, and it's going to be the biggest challenge of them all. My wife, Kit, was
diagnosed with a pancreatic neuro endochrine tumor shortly after Easter last spring. The good news is that there was no indication of spread. She began chemotherapy treatments at Dana-Farber on June 2 where she has an amazing team from her oncologist, a senior specialist in her rare type of cancer, all the way to her social worker who is helping us with a ton of details to make her journey through treatments more comfortable. We were cautiously optimistic that since her cancer had not spread she had a good chance at full recovery following chemo, radiation and surgery.
Then Kit developed pancreatitis which led to a vicious infection that required 4 weeks in Brigham and Women's hospital and 2 weeks in a rehab facility. I finally brought her home in late September. The day before Thanksgiving we were told her cancer had spread to her liver marking the end of her curative status. We now have to come to grips with the fact that she will be 'living with cancer' with little hope for remission.
After adjusting to this news she has soldiered on. Most recently she has begun 'Immunotherapy+2'. A recent scan showed remarkable reduction in the size of her pNET, as well as reduction in size of the lesions on her liver. Her doctor informed us that she is now in the 10% of patients who respond this dramatically! We are positive, hopeful and grateful for this new immunotherapy treatment at Dana-Farber.
Our daughter Jenna called at the end of April to share the news that she was diagnosed with colon cancer, stage 4. How could this be happening? Half my family is now courageously fighting for their lives. Jenna is young, fit and strong. She also has a great, positive spirit. We are hopeful that she will recover after enduring chemo, radiation and surgery.
These shocking developments have not only strengthened my commitment to raise funds for Dana Farber, it 'flips the script' in the sense that I never expected to have cancer strike so close. It CAN happen to anyone at anytime, and to more than one family member!
This year I decided to GO BIG AND RAISE $25,000 in honor of Kit and Jenna. As a Virtual Rider I'm aiming to quadruple your gifts totaling $6,255 in 2022. I never forget that our primary goal is to help cancer patients by supporting the life saving research and treatment work at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Your generosity and caring makes a real difference in so many lives.
This year's Pan-Mass Challenge fund raising goal is $70,000,000. About 6,000 riders have registered. Once again, I am volunteering to be an official PMC photographer. We will continue to come together and support the mission, 'closer by the mile'. Every dollar contributed goes 100% straight to Dana-Farber.
Please be as generous as possible. I know this is a big 'ask'. Your contributions during this difficult and challenging journey for my family will be most appreciated.
For 2023, my virtual ride will be in memory of friends I have lost to cancer, their friends and loved ones, and for those who have had the good fortune to thrive beyond:
- For my wife Kit whose strength and resilience are so awesome to witness as she battles cancer every day.
- For my daughter Jenna who is facing the biggest challenge of her life with courage and grace.
- For Brian Jeannotte our next door neighbor and friend who after supporting his wife Clare's cancer fight, discovered he had cancer himself. After surgery, his prognosis is looking great..
- For Clare Jeannotte our friend and neighbor who was declared cured of cancer of the tonsils. She credits her oncology team and the treatments she received at Dana-Farber for her successful outcome.
- For Erin McCoy Thomas who received a stage 4 diagnosis of colon cancer on July 31, 2015. Erin and my wife Kit were in the Boston Univ. Arts Administration graduate program together. A year later Erin was pronounced cancer free one year after her diagnosis; another Dana-Farber success! Congratulations to Erin and her family.
- For Bob Ritchie, my next door neighbor, who lost his fight with lung cancer on Christmas Eve, 2015.
- For Ted Buswick, who lost his fight with cancer on June 29, 2014. Ted was all about community in his life with his family, his church, his arts and theater groups, and his professional associations. I'm hopeful that drug therapies for his particular cancer are close to reality due to funds contributed from the PMC to Dana Farber.
-
For Lynne Davidson who lost her fight with stomach cancer. I have ridden many miles with Howie Davidson, 'living proof' as a rider who has beat his own cancer... Howie's dedication to the PMC goes way back! - For Don Taylor, old friend, expert sailor, avid skier, loving father, who lost his battle with melanoma in 2010. I dedicate my rides to Don's memory.
- For Stacy Slaff Lucas, a close high school friend of Peter van de Graaf, an IBM colleague and fellow PMC rider. Stacy lost her battle with cancer in 2009.
- For Cindy Kunkel Wright who lost her battle with melanoma on July 1, 2006 after 19 months of bravery. It was after hearing Cindy's mother Ellen talk about Cindy's journey that inspired me to ride my first PMC. I will always ride to honor Cindy's memory.
- For Kelvin Lawrence, my friend, and IBM Distinguished Engineer, who has fought bravely and succeeded in his battle with colon cancer. Kelvin, you always amaze me with your strength and equanimity in the face of all your personal challenges. These rides are for you and those close to you.
- For Dion Gillard, a good friend of Kelvin's, who lost his battle with melanoma.
As a husband and father to my amazing wife and daughter now fighting for their lives, and as a high risk melanoma person, I will work hard to meet my goal of $25,000 with your amazing generosity and support. Please join me in this effort. It helps everyone.
