This is my tenth PMC. I am excited by the thought that this year my fundraising will surpass $50,000 for cancer research. This year is even more important as my husband, John, is now a pancreatic cancer survivor. As often happens, a tumor on the tail of his pancreas was discovered during a test for something else. In August he had the tumor removed as well as his spleen. By November he was back in the hospital with sepsis, and after a 2 week stay he came home. Cancer has hit our family before. My parents Joe and Doe Hanley, both died of cancer in 1994 within 4 months of each other. Dad had prostrate cancer for many years and saw everyday as a blessing. Mom was dealt a cruel blow with the diagnosis of bladder cancer and the removal of her bladder two years before her death. She took care of dad until his death a few weeks after their 50th wedding anniversary, an event which was not the gala which they are planned for years, rather intimate and low key, but special nevertheless. We all felt that Dad willed himself to live until their anniversary. Little did we realize how sick Mom was at that time of Dad's death.

Mom died the day after Thanksgiving. It was so much to bare for all of us. My parents would be very proud of my cycling in honor of them and many others affected by cancer. I will ride the 163 miles from Wellesley to Provincetown as a part of a large community of other cyclists, volunteers, and spectators all united on two days in August with the purpose of wanting to see cancer eradicated.

I am acutely aware of the affect that cancer has on all family members. It is my deepest hope that no one has to ever watch another loved one die of cancer. Riding the PMC is my way of fighting back!

Your contribution brings us closer to cure!

Please join me in the fight!