#WhyIPMC guest blog by Doug Pearl, 6-year Living Proof rider, Team Velominati
In June of 2017 I was diagnosed with stage 3 myxoid liposarcoma known as the “forgotten cancer”. After 8 cycles of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation and resection of the tumor on my lower right leg my doctors tell me I am now completely free of that cancer. 
However, in December of 2020 I was diagnosed with myleodysplastic syndrome(MDS). A rare form of blood cancer caused by the very chemotherapy used to kill my initial cancer tumor. The only cure for MDS is a stem cell transplant which I underwent in January of 2023. My stem cell donor, with whom I have since spoken and will meet, is Taylor from Tennessee who is 26 years old. Fifteen months later I am thriving and will ride in my 6th PMC the first week in August of 2024 from Sturbridge to Provincetown.
I ride the PMC not because I am living proof. I ride to honor the young children I encountered during treatment, who were just as bald and sick as I was, yet always had smiles on their faces. I ride because so many in my family have been lost to cancer. I ride because I am inspired by friends who have suffered the loss of a loved one(s) or have nursed one back to health from cancer. I ride because of the real hope with funds raised through the PMC a cure for cancer can be realized in our lifetime.
