Thursday, August 03, 2006

Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti: Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti: Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti

Team Avanti: 96-strong including 2 riders plus 94 survivors and angels.

It's now late on Wednesday and we are wonderfully overwhelmed with the gracious generosity of friends and family who are sharing their loved ones with us. Our packs may be fully loaded with the weight of one hundred or more people we're honoring, but that will be entirely overpowered by the strength of the spirit that has been shared with us.

We're riding to honor:
Eve Marchiony, Helga Strowbridge, Debbi Finnerty, Ev May, Jack Hoffelder, Janice Hoffelder, Jodi Crego, Ligia Campos, German Campos, Garnet Harrison, Connie and Shel Perkins, Paula Drake, Deborah Bodner, Sherri Garber, Diane, Oui, Maureen, Arthur, Otto Rhoades, Toni Wolffe, Michelle Gorman, Grace A. Beath, Bruno Mozzone, Anne Nielsen Riis, Bill Zajkowski, Grace Lee, Sandy Robertson, Jesse Wolff, Peggy Hall, Bill Poduska, Eleni Anagnostopoulos Frances Crowell, Karen Gilmore, Earl Nichols, Dorrie Nichols, Laura Williamson, Jamie Sullivan, Valerie Dieter Leeds, Leanna Mossi, Atilio Mossi, Audrey McNiff, Kristine Scotto, Berkeley Bottjer, Linda Reagan, Joy DiMaggio, Harriett, Lee, Hugo, Theresa Ellis, Ilga Paddock, Margot Kruskall, Marilyn Baker, Carolyn Ellis, Barbara, Gene Webb, Jenny, Wendy Mathis, John Mathis, Bumpy & Arnie Olena , Trudy Harrison; Christina Prokopis Leonard, Patricia Winter Pickut, Barbara Winter Gregor, Frederick Alfred Rado; Joan Baker; Barbara Skiff; Alden Dean, Nick Baker, Bootsie and Charlie Carothers, Sally Windle, Dicker Ryder, Elissa Wolf-Tinsman, Susan Gallo, Meg Hausman, Betsy, Susie and Quinn, Anne, Becky; Ernest H. Bluman, Eve Marchiony, Irving F. Cohn, Benson I. Offit, Marian (Katy) Lebowitz, Beth Vernon, Helga Strowbridge, Marlis Powell, Karen Opseth, Harry Shutinya, Abra Cylus

A few words about the people we’ll be honoring during our ride.

from Kathy Cohn
Cancer Victims Who I Love with All My Heart: Ernest H. Bluman, beloved grandfather; Eve Marchiony, beloved aunt; Irving F. Cohn, beloved father-in-law; Benson I. Offit, beloved uncle; Marian (Katy) Lebowitz, dear friend; Beth Vernon, dear childhood friend; and Helga Strowbridge, dear friend.
Cancer Survivors: Marlis Powell, mother; Karen Opseth, dear friend; Harry Shutinya, dear friend; Abra Cylus, dear friend

from John Sallay
I would appreciate your adding the names two fellow parishioners recently diagnosed with cancer to your backpack: Anne and Becky.

from Bill Brown
to honor Betsy, Susie and Quinn

from Jamie MacMillan
to honor Kelly Wyke and Laurie MacMillan

from Warren Radke,
to honor Mary Abraham and Julie Kaufman, M.D. Mary is Warren's daughter in law. At age 32, she was diagnosed with a rare cancer in the cartilidge of her hip. Now, 10 years after radical surgury - her leg was removed and reattached - she is living a normal and cancer free life! Julie is Warren's personal physician. She has had a reoccurance of breast cancer and is currently on leave receiving treatment.

from Lalla Carothers,
for Bootsie and Charlie Carothers, as well as my aunt, Sally Windle (died of breast cancer at 43), my aunt, Dicker Ryder (ovarian), and several friends who've survived breast cancer: Elissa Wolf-Tinsman, Susan Gallo, Meg Hausman.

from Tootsie Thomas,
Joan Baker, Barbara Skiff, Alden Dean, Nick Baker

from Bryan Winter
Christina Prokopis Leonard (Elizabeth’s Friend); Patricia Winter Pickut (My Aunt – pancreatic cancer age 39); Barbara Winter Gregor (My Aunt – lung cancer age 36); Frederick Alfred Rado (My Granddad – kidney cancer age 62)

from Beth and Dennis Goldstein
Please keep in mind our next door neighbor, Trudy Harrison. She is a kind lady and is undergoing chemo treatments right now.

from Marnie Olena,
Both my parents, Bumpy & Arnie Olena, had cancer but in all cases it was caught very early with no spread. Mom had lung cancer caught early while looking for something else, Dad had lung (caught early while looking for something else), prostate (caught with the blood test and fixed (or thereabouts) with surgery), and colon (caught during a routine colonoscopy and removed with surgery).

from John Bulbrook & Carolyn Ellis,
Berkeley Bottjer [Carter Crawford's daughter], Linda Reagan*, Joy DiMaggio, Harriett, Lee, Hugo, Theresa Ellis* [Carolyn’s mom], Ilga Paddock*, Margot Kruskall*, Marilyn Baker*, Carolyn Ellis, Barbara, Gene Webb*, Jenny, Wendy Mathis, and John Mathis.

from Maggie Tyler
Kristine Scotto, my friend and cancer survivor Kristine who rode for me when I was sick.


from Audrey McNiff
Anne McNiff, my mother, was 64 when she died of Ovarian Cancer after a 6+ year struggle (the same disease which claimed my grandmother and great grandmother). She loved her children, grandchildren, traveling and collecting (mainly silly things like beach glass and blue bottles).

from Rob Mossi,
Leanna Mossi (currently battling leukemia) & Atilio Mossi (prostate cancer survivor)

from Sally Malconian,
Earl Nichols: Kathy's stepfather who lost his battle with bladder cancer this past April. Dorrie Nichols: Kathy's mother who is currently winning her own battle with bladder cancer. Laura Williamson: Kathy's niece who has been battling a brain tumor for the past 9 years (currently age 14). Jamie Sullivan: a 13 year old son of our dear friends, Janey and Leslie, who has been waging a fierce battle against cancer for the past year and a half. Valerie Dieter Leeds: my college roommate who lost a battle to cancer at age 49, leaving behind a husband and 2 young sons.

from Elizabeth Rodgers,
Frances Crowell has had breast cancer too....surgery and radiation in November of 1999. And our good friend Karen Gilmore.

from Effie Anagnostopoulos
My mother Eleni was diagnosed with cancer early this year - to our sadness and surprise. Fortunately, it was caught very early and the doctors believe it will likely go into remission, but she is in the midst of her chemo now and it is quite a harsh treatment.

from Denise Mosher,
Jesse Wolff with you. He was my dad who died of Pancreatic cancer about 11 years ago at age 53.

from John Chakin,
Mary Tipton Bodmer, 1st cousin once removed. She’s 71 years old with terminal cancer.

from Adrienne Robertson
Sandy Robertson, who successfully battled breast cancer and is now a 15-year survivor.

from Deborah Zajkowski
Bill Zajkowski died of lung cancer and my aunt Grace Lee survived breat cancer.

from Mercer Riis
Doug's beloved mother Anne Nielsen Riis who died at age 62 of the old fashioned radiation she had for breast cancer she'd had 15 years previous! We were grateful for the 15 years. By the way - her last request was to see our two kids baptized, and she did - her last time out of bed! And now my granddaughter will be baptized on Aug. 6 at SP. A prayer of gratitude for that would be appreciated too!

from Bob & Ann Hoffelder:
Jack Hoffelder (Bob's brother)
Janice Hoffelder (Bob's brother's wife)
Jodi Crego (Ann's cousin)

from Judy Campos:
Ligia Campos mother-in-law who died of cancer in 2005;
German Campos, her husband, who is in treatment

from Gary Green
Jennifer Kay, classmate and friend from Dartmouth who worked to get more young women interested in science and technology.

from Sam Zales
Bob Rech, our Dartmouth classmate, a wonderful friend, talented football player and then coach, devoted husband, father, and son. What a loss for the world.

from Rob Rodgers
Garnet Harrison, Rob’s nana. ,battled and beat breast cancer. Lived gracefully through her 80's.
Ev May was one of the greatest friends I have ever had. In a very real way, he saved my life.

from Bill Poduska
Peggy Hall, Susan Poduska's mother, died of lung cancer. Bill Poduska battled and beat prostate cancer.

from Mary King
my parents Connie and Shel Perkins who both died of cancer in the 70s

from Dan and Serena Silber
Deborah Bodner is currently battling breast cancer. She is the sister of Dan's high-school buddy, Jack.

from Dan and Serena Silber
Deborah Landesman is currently battlingcancer. She is the sister of Dan's high-school buddy, Jack.

from Sarah & Ned Rossiter:
Diane (Sarah's friend)
Oui (Sarah's friend)
Maureen (Sarah's friend)
Arthur (Ned's father, who died)

from Ted Rhoades
Otto Rhoades, his father

from Artie Rice
Toni Wolffe (age 54) is undergoing chemo for breast cancer
Michelle Gorman, a very close friend who battled and died of breast cancer at the age of 47.

from Mary Beath,
To Grace A. Beath, the most wonderful mother, friend and role model in the world. XO, Mary.

Bruno Mozzone, the best Dad ever!

from John Marchiony,
for Eve Marchiony, my Mom, and her best friend Helga Strowbridge. They were quite a pair, playful and just throughout their lives.
and Judy Siegel adds: They (Eve and Helga) both color my life with their acts of generosity and humor.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

2 Milestones: >30 People to Honor on our Ride: >$11,000 raised.

Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti

Who are we riding for? 33 people (and rising)...including:
Eve Marchiony, Helga Strowbridge, Debbi Finnerty, Ev May, Jack Hoffelder, Janice Hoffelder, Jodi Crego, Ligia Campos, German Campos, Garnet Harrison, Connie and Shel Perkins, Paula Drake, Deborah Bodner, Sherri Garber, Diane, Oui, Maureen, Arthur, Otto Rhoades, Toni Wolffe, Michelle Gorman, Grace A. Beath, Bruno Mozzone, Anne Nielsen Riis, Bill Zajkowski, Grace Lee, Sandy Robertson, Jesse Wolff, Peggy Hall, Bill Poduska

A few words about the people we’ll be honoring during our ride.

from Denise Mosher,
Jesse Wolff with you. He was my dad who died of Pancreatic cancer about 11 years ago at age 53.

from John Chakin,
Mary Tipton Bodmer, 1st cousin once removed. She’s 71 years old with terminal cancer.

from Adrienne Robertson
Sandy Robertson, who successfully battled breast cancer and is now a 15-year survivor.

from Deborah Zajkowski
Bill Zajkowski died of lung cancer and my aunt Grace Lee survived breat cancer.

from Mercer Riis
Doug's beloved mother Anne Nielsen Riis who died at age 62 of the old fashioned radiation she had for breast cancer she'd had 15 years previous! We were grateful for the 15 years. By the way - her last request was to see our two kids baptized, and she did - her last time out of bed! And now my granddaughter will be baptized on Aug. 6 at SP. A prayer of gratitude for that would be appreciated too!

from Bob & Ann Hoffelder:
Jack Hoffelder (Bob's brother)
Janice Hoffelder (Bob's brother's wife)
Jodi Crego (Ann's cousin)

from Judy Campos:
Ligia Campos mother-in-law who died of cancer in 2005;
German Campos, her husband, who is in treatment

from Gary Green
Jennifer Kay, classmate and friend from Dartmouth who worked to get more young women interested in science and technology.

from Sam Zales
Bob Rech, our Dartmouth classmate, a wonderful friend, talented football player and then coach, devoted husband, father, and son. What a loss for the world.

from Rob Rodgers
Garnet Harrison, Rob’s nana. ,battled and beat breast cancer. Lived gracefully through her 80's.
Ev May was one of the greatest friends I have ever had. In a very real way, he saved my life.

from Bill Poduska
Peggy Hall, Susan Poduska's mother, died of lung cancer. Bill Poduska battled and beat prostate cancer.

from Mary King
my parents Connie and Shel Perkins who both died of cancer in the 70s

from Dan and Serena Silber
Deborah Bodner is currently battling breast cancer. She is the sister of Dan's high-school buddy, Jack.

from Dan and Serena Silber
Deborah Landesman is currently battlingcancer. She is the sister of Dan's high-school buddy, Jack.

from Sarah & Ned Rossiter:
Diane (Sarah's friend)
Oui (Sarah's friend)
Maureen (Sarah's friend)
Arthur (Ned's father, who died)

from Ted Rhoades
Otto Rhoades, his father

from Artie Rice
Toni Wolffe (age 54) is undergoing chemo for breast cancer
Michelle Gorman, a very close friend who battled and died of breast cancer at the age of 47.

from Mary Beath,
To Grace A. Beath, the most wonderful mother, friend and role model in the world. XO, Mary.

Bruno Mozzone, the best Dad ever!

from John Marchiony
for Eve Marchiony, my Mom, and her best friend Helga Strowbridge. They were quite a pair, playful and just throughout their lives.

Monday, July 31, 2006

Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti

Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti

We're inside a week and VERY excited for the big ride on the weekend. Especially after a wonderful 60-mile ride on Saturday that was easier than expected (for John, who was worried about the stamina of his left knee/ACL, which is 14 weeks old).

More importantly, we're now riding to honor 29 people so far, and we'd be so happy to have many many more with us. Our ride is for:
Eve Marchiony, Helga Strowbridge, Debbi Finnerty, Ev May, Jack Hoffelder, Janice Hoffelder, Jodi Crego, Ligia Campos, German Campos, Garnet Harrison, Connie and Shel Perkins, Paula Drake, Deborah Bodner, Sherri Garber, Diane, Oui, Maureen, Arthur, Otto Rhoades, Toni Wolffe, Michelle Gorman, Grace A. Beath, Bruno Mozzone, Anne Nielsen Riis, Bill Zajkowski, Grace Lee, Sandy Robertson (29)

A few words about the people we’ll be honoring during our ride.

from John Chakin,
Mary Tipton Bodmer, 1st cousin once removed. She’s 71 years old with terminal cancer.

from Adrienne Robertson
Sandy Robertson, my mom, who successfully battled breast cancer and is now a 15-year survivor.

from Deborah Zajkowski
Bill Zajkowski, who died of lung cancer, and my aunt Grace Lee survived breat cancer.

from Mercer Riis
Doug's beloved mother Anne Nielsen Riis who died at age 62 of the old fashioned radiation she had for breast cancer she'd had 15 years previous! We were grateful for the 15 years. By the way - her last request was to see our two kids baptized, and she did - her last time out of bed! And now my granddaughter will be baptized on Aug. 6 at SP. A prayer of gratitude for that would be appreciated too!

from Bob & Ann Hoffelder:
Jack Hoffelder (Bob's brother)
Janice Hoffelder (Bob's brother's wife)
Jodi Crego (Ann's cousin)

from Judy Campos:
Ligia Campos mother-in-law who died of cancer in 2005;
German Campos, her husband, who is in treatment

from Gary Green
Jennifer Kay, classmate and friend from Dartmouth who worked to get more young women interested in science and technology.

from Sam Zales
Bob Rech,

from Rob Rodgers
Garnet Harrison, Rob’s nana.

from Mary King
my parents Connie and Shel Perkins who both died of cancer in the 70s

from Dan and Serena Silber
Deborah Bodner is currently battling breast cancer. She is the sister of Dan's high-school buddy, Jack.

from Dan and Serena Silber
Sherri Garber, who lost her battle with cancer last year. She is the mother of a good friend of Dan's and Serena's, Jeremy.

from Sarah & Ned Rossiter:
Diane (Sarah's friend)
Oui (Sarah's friend)
Maureen (Sarah's friend)
Arthur (Ned's father, who died)

from Ted Rhoades
Otto Rhoades, his father

from Artie Rice
Toni Wolffe (age 54) is undergoing chemo for breast cancer
Michelle Gorman, a very close friend who battled and died of breast cancer at the age of 47.

from Mary Beath,
To Grace A. Beath, the most wonderful mother, friend and role model in the world. XO, Mary.

Bruno Mozzone, the best Dad ever!

from John Marchiony
for Eve Marchiony, my Mom, and her best friend Helga Strowbridge. They were quite a pair, playful and just throughout their lives.

Friday, July 28, 2006

Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti: Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti

Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti: Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti

A week and a day and we're collecting wonderful stories about wonderful people who we will be honored to remember and think of as we ride.

We're riding for 25 people so far, including:
Eve Marchiony, Helga Strowbridge, Debbi Finnerty, Ev May, Jack Hoffelder, Janice Hoffelder, Jodi Crego, Ligia Campos, German Campos, Garnet Harrison, Connie and Shel Perkins, Paula Drake, Deborah Bodner, Sherri Garber, Diane, Oui, Maureen, Arthur, Otto Rhoades, Toni Wolffe, Michelle Gorman, Grace A. Beath, Bruno Mozzone.

A few words about the people we’ll be honoring during our ride.

from Bob & Ann Hoffelder:
Jack Hoffelder (Bob's brother)
Janice Hoffelder (Bob's brother's wife)
Jodi Crego (Ann's cousin)

from Judy Campos:
Ligia Campos mother-in-law who died of cancer in 2005;
German Campos, her husband, who is in treatment

from Gary Green
Jennifer Kay, classmate and friend from Dartmouth who worked to get more young women interested in science and technology.

from Sam Zales
Bob Rech,

from Rob Rodgers
Garnet Harrison, Rob’s nana.

from Mary King
my parents Connie and Shel Perkins who both died of cancer in the 70s

from Dan and Serena Silber
Deborah Bodner is currently battling breast cancer. She is the sister of Dan's high-school buddy, Jack.

from Dan and Serena Silber
Sherri Garber, who lost her battle with cancer last year. She is the mother of a good friend of Dan's and Serena's, Jeremy.

from Sarah & Ned Rossiter:
Diane (Sarah's friend)
Oui (Sarah's friend)
Maureen (Sarah's friend)
Arthur (Ned's father, who died)

from Ted Rhoades
Otto Rhoades, his father

from Artie Rice
Toni Wolffe (age 54) is undergoing chemo for breast cancer
Michelle Gorman, a very close friend who battled and died of breast cancer at the age of 47.

from Mary Beath,
To Grace A. Beath, the most wonderful mother, friend and role model in the world. XO, Mary.

Bruno Mozzone, the best Dad ever!

from John Marchiony
for Eve Marchiony, my Mom, and her best friend Helga Strowbridge. They were quite a pair, playful and just throughout their lives.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti

Pan Mass Challenge 2006 - Team Avanti
July 21 -- 2 weeks to go!
We're riding for a growing number of wonderful people who've battled cancer, including:
Eve Marchiony, Helga Strowbridge, Debbi Finnerty, Ev May, Jack Hoffelder, Janice Hoffelder, Jodi Crego, Ligia Campos, German Campos (9 total so far)

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Who Are We Riding For?

Our friend Catherine ran the Boston Marathon this year listening to classical music and thinking, very specifically, about the friends and patients (she's a doc) who would benefit from the research she was raising money to support. I believe she had 26 people to think about during the 26-mile run.

We're riding 162 miles -- can we identify 162 people to ride for, and carry them with us for the ride? I hope so. I hope you will share and let us ride for your friend, family member, or any other person who has touched your life. Share by commenting on this post. If you'd like to send a story, or a photo separately, send it to john.marchiony@gmail.com.

I learned yesterday that Debbie, wonderful woman who's been a pre-school teacher "forever," has been given a grim prognosis and that she's having hospice care at home. She's touched hundreds of kids and families over the years with a gentle hand and a warm embrace. Her husband fights fires, literally, and her kids already are kind and generous adults as they go through and emerge from college and grad school.

In 1989, Eve lost her battle with cancer. She was a tireless volunteer with a great sense of justice which she demonstrated as she championed new educational programs and the recognition of excellence in children and teachers. She was a mother to her own three boys and the friend and confidant to dozens of kids who, somehow, she understood. She tutuored the skier/jock in French and let Scott know that she'd stand by him no matter what.

Eve's best friend was Helga, and the two of them are probably having a grand time watching their families unfold. Both born in Germany, they nudged and hugged each other when they lived on the same street, and when they lived an hour apart in different states. Helga was "the nutty aunt" type of person who knew her rules and followed them, regardless of how they matched up with "the rules." Like Eve, she embodied loyalty in inspiring ways.

Those are three short stories to start. We're riding for Debbie, Eve, and Helga. Who else would like to come along?

We're riding for three people so far:
Dana, Debbie F, Eve M, Helga W,

Friday, June 09, 2006

Getting Started / 8 Weeks

8 weeks from tomorrow we ride 161 miles over two days. When I committed myself to ride the PMC -- just after the Disney Half Marathon in January -- I had some expectations. They DIDN'T include tearing my left ACL in January and having it replaced April 25 -- 14 weeks before the PMC. WOOF!

So my challenge is different than I expected, and wonderful nonetheless. The way I figure it, I can ride the PMC with one leg if I really have to, right? There are people who live life very fully with only one leg. In the grand scheme of things, and in light of what patients at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute battle, overcoming the knee "hurdle" is relatively trivial.

More to follow on this wonderful experience of supporting the good fight to eradicate cancer.

Cheers,

-John

To make a donation to our PMC Team Avanti fund, please follow this link:
http://www.pmc.org/mypmc/profiles.asp?Section=story&eGiftID=JM0403