Sunrise Heading out of Sturbridge
August 7th and 8th had to be some of the best weather days we have had all Summer here in Massachusetts. It just happened to coincide with the two-day 192 mile Pan Mass Challenge. The event and ride were amazing. It is truly a life changing experience to ride in the PMC. It brings everything that is good about people into one place. Everyone forgets for two days where they come from and what they have going on in their lives and focuses on a common goal “Finding a cure for Cancer”. You hear story after story from people who are Survivors and from family members and friends who have been impacted by this terrible disease. It truly makes gives me hope that there will be a cure for the many forms of cancer.
Arriving in Franklin
So here are just a few statistics about this years ride. 5,100 cyclists,3,200 volunteers. That is truly amazing. Almost as many volunteers as riders. Those volunteers make everything run so smoothly. The goal for this year is $31 million an amazing achievement for any event and they are already ahead of the numbers from last year. I think there are many things that make this ride unique. It is not just about fundraising it is about the kindness and support of others as many of us go through our lives as cancer survivors.
Jillian and Nathan at the rest stop
I think about this everyday, I want to have a long life and be able to see my kids grow and thrive. In many ways I may have to rely on friends, family and the researchers from Dana-Farber to find a cure for the cancer that I was diagnosed with. Today there is no cure for my type of cancer, but I rely on Dana-Farber for preventative care and I couldn’t be in a better place. The PMC gives me a feeling of not being alone in this fight. Many of the riders are survivors themselves. Others are family members and friends who ride for others who can’t. They all want to help and be part of the solution. Everyone is together in this fight.
We all have a connection to cancer, it’s either a family member, friend or work colleague we know that has been impacted and we all want to help. That is what is best about the PMC, the need to do something and act upon that need. No one sits there and wishes they could help. They get up and ride for two days. they volunteer, they help solve a problem. Some riders are better prepared than others but everyone starts the ride and finishes with the same feeling. We made a difference today in the fight against Cancer and for one person that is a survivor I am truly thankful for that.
"The Camerons"
I am thankful for my families support as well as the support from friends. Even though I may be the one riding I couldn’t do it without the help from everyone around me. This year I rode with my Brother James and friends Dave and Steve. They helped make this year truly a memorable experience. I also couldn’t do it without the support of my wife, my children and my father and 2nd mother. They all support me for the ride and provide support much beyond that also. I want to thank everyone that helped get me beyond my fundraising goal of $5,000 for this year. I am also grateful to the team that I ride for Paul’s Posse Last year the team had raised over $1 million for cancer research truly a remarkable goal. Paul was not able to ride this year but I saw him cheering everyone on at the start of the ride and I have no doubt that we will see him back in the saddle for next year’s ride.
Group Riders - James, Neil, Dave and Steve
We have already began planning for next years ride and hope that many others will join the cause and the ride. There truly will be a cure found somewhere between Sturbridge and Provincetown and I hope we are all able to find it.
Even though I have met my goal for this year I still have until October to add to the total amount raised so if you would like to contribute to this essential cause then please follow the link below.
http://www.pmc.org/profile/NC0055
