Why I PMC - Josh Person

Why I PMC guest blog by Josh Person

The Pan-Mass Challenge brings together a collection of people with a shared mission and, in many cases, a personal connection.  While we share in the mission and connection, every person has their own specific reasons.  I can group my reasons for riding into three buckets: to honor the past, support the present, and hope for the future. 

Honor the Past: My mother, Barbara, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. The courage and strength she showed while battling the disease was, and always will be, very inspirational to our family and everyone who knew her.  In 2004 my wife, Jamie, and I joined my brother in the PMC. My mother's condition worsened that summer and training for the PMC was a great way for us to clear our heads during a difficult time. My mother passed away on August 5, two days before the PMC. My father reminded us that Mom wanted us to ride, no matter what.  August 7, 2004 was a wonderful day. We were exhausted when we rode into Bourne together but also exhilarated that we had accomplished the ride under the circumstances.

Support the Present: When I signed up for the 2016 PMC on January 7th, I kept my PMC profile theme of Looking Back & Looking Forward. My dad, Bruce, called on January 26th and said his doctor told him he has upper tract urothelial carcinoma – bladder cancer. My theme now includes Here and Now.  I am committing to train more and raise more for the PMC than I have since I started in 2004. The PMC fundraising minimum is $4,500 but have a goal this year of $7,500 which is Heavy Hitter status in the PMC. This will require more effort, but it pales in comparison to the effort my dad and others put forth to battle cancer.

Hope for the Future: My brother, Eric and I are riding on our team, Barbara’s Brigade, to raise funds that will go directly to the TJ Ragnoni Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to fight children’s brain tumors. I learned about the Fund through my friend John Ragnoni, whose son, TJ, has battled a pediatric brain tumor called Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma (JPA). PMC funding is supporting THE leading low grade pediatric brain tumor program in the country.

Whether riding (6 years) or volunteering at the Wrentham water stop (6 years), the first weekend in August is a special weekend for my family and me.  It serves as a reminder of the impact cancer has had on us and many others we know, the current progress that has been made in battling the disease, and it also serves as hope for a cure.