Riding the Pan-Mass Challenge again in 2019, please donate if you can

Before diving in to my Pan-Mass Challenge update, here is the recent Facebook post from on our pedal partner, Maddie Carlson, who survived cancer twice:

I just wanted to take a second to share the amazing things that have happened in the past year that have been so insane and i can’t help but feeling extremely blessed and grateful. This time last year my cancer was out of control, I was living at BCH, severely depressed and not even looking forward to the future. Fast forward to now and I can’t even believe how much my life has changed. Here’s a few things that have happened since I was severely hospitalized that have gave me a reason to not give up. First, I transferred to Emmanuel College in Boston which was without a doubt the best decision I could have ever made. I love this city and love my cute little school. Next, since I started school, I’ve made some of the greatest people who have become my family and teach me how to be a better person and have helped me grow (y’all know who you are). In high school I didn’t really get the opportunity to get involved so I started to take advantage of that since I’ve been here. The second month of school I started an on-campus job, joined a couple clubs AND recently found out that I received an RA position for next year!!! LASTLY AND THE BEST OF IT ALL, I recently found out I am 9 months cancer free!! Though I have my off days and have a lot to conquer with my health, I am happy. Cancer was a horrible thing that happened to me but I survived (twice) and am taking advantage of the amazing opportunities presented to me, since I couldn’t for so long and many others don’t have the chance to. Again, thank you to everyone that has followed my journey and those that continue to support me 💛💛

(we posted this before from Maddie’s video when she battled cancer the first time)

She was at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). I hope you never have to see those facilities. Or if you do, I hope it is from curiosity and not because you or a loved one is receiving treatment.

Although was a bit challenging to go, being a cancer survivor myself and not wanting to be reminded, we accepted an invitation to tour the DFCI in late January. The facilities are amazing.

So much attention is paid to how those with cancer are treated and what resources they can access. There are even places like the indoor gardens where they can experience nature that’s otherwise off limits due to their treatments. The tour guide even made mention of the unseen researchers and physicians working tirelessly to innovate new approaches for fighting cancer, to save lives, and to make a difference to all of us.

On the tour, we also felt the impact of the PMC, from donor plaques to the amazing PMC bridge, all of which brings home the message that cancer can be fought “one mile at a time.”

Over the past 40 years, 121,264 PMC riders (and 68,044 volunteers) have raised over $550 million to fight cancer at DFCI and in 2019, over 6,000 riders will aim to raise $58,000,000.  With your help, we can make a real difference, saving lives.  We can stand up and do something about this unrelenting and ever-changing affliction.

This will be my fifth year and I’m asking for your support. I am off to a good start, having raised over $3,900, but I need your help. Please support my ride so others won’t suffer as Maddie did in the past. Click on “why I ride” and donate. Remember, 100% of funds raised by the PMC go to Dana Farber for care, treatment and research.

Thank you,

Steven