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,

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