---
title: Why I PMC - Marcia Dana
description: 14-year PMC rider, Marcia Dana tells us why she participates in the Pan-Mass Challenge
---

[PMC Blog ](https://www.pmc.org/blog)

# [Why I PMC - Marcia Dana](https://www.pmc.org/blog/why-i-pmc-marcia-dana)

 Written by [Pan-Mass Challenge](https://www.pmc.org/blog/author/pan-mass-challenge) | Apr 17, 2019 4:32:04 PM

#WhyIPMC guest blog by [Marcia Dana](https://profile.pmc.org/MD0202), [Team Dassault Systemes](https://profile.pmc.org/TT0054), 14-year rider

My first PMC was in 2006. I was turning 50 and wanted an epic challenge to prove that 50 was just a number. That year, a friend’s young daughter, Erika, was battling a brain tumor. She used to say, “I spell my name with a “K” because it’s strong and straight, and I’m too bold for a curlycue “C.” Prayers were requested, and I offered many, but I needed to do something more concrete as well. I felt called to ride the Pan-Mass Challenge. It was amazing, and exhausting, and so rewarding. Three years later when my husband was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called lymphomatoid granulomatosis, I had a new reason to ride.   

*(Wellelsey Start 2016 with my daughter, son and his fiancee)*

This year will be my 14th PMC, riding for my now late husband, Greg. He was a good man. Our daughter recently described him this way, “He could shift with ease from total goofball, to empathetic counselor, to business owner, to dad and more. He was a helper, a listener, a healer and courageous.” Our doctors at [Dana-Farber Cancer Institute](https://www.dana-farber.org/) couldn’t cure his cancer, but they treated us with great kindness and compassion, and gave us more years of quality time to enjoy together.

*(Getting the next generation started. Maybe we’ll cure cancer and she’ll have to find another cause to fundraise for)*

When particularly struggling to live with his illness or chemo, he used to say, “Just because it’s difficult, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t still do it.” Despite the cancer’s return, and having congestive heart failure, Greg rode PMC 2011 as [Living Proof](https://www.pmc.org/pmc-community). It was important to him to experience the ride for himself.  Remembering this, helps me through the tough times without him. I continue to ride PMC, to honor how hard Greg worked so that we might have just one more day together. I honor his journey by continuing my own.

*(Greg & me at the MMA in Bourne 2011)*

[View full post](https://www.pmc.org/blog/why-i-pmc-marcia-dana)

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