RichardRoll.com

192 Miles Closer to a Cure

August 6, 2008 on 4:42 pm | In Cycling, Pan-Mass Challenge |

Well, I did it! I rode the entire Pan Mass Challenge, the 192 mile bikeathon to cure cancer, from Sturbridge MA (where Rt. 84 meets the Mass Pike at the top of Connecticut), over the Bourne Bridge, to Provincetown at the very end of Cape Cod. I finished respectably in the middle of the pack. It’s simply an amazing experience, and I want to share it with you. I also want to let you know how much I appreciate your support.

The innovative research and studies of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have produced proven results–extending lives by years or decades for many children, parents, and loved ones who wouldn’t otherwise be here today. It’s an incredibly emotional experience to do the ride. I met so many adults and children whose lives have been saved thanks to the research at Dana-Farber and the support of the Jimmy Fund. It makes you keenly aware of the sweetness that is available in life. Not only are you moved and engaged by the spirit and generosity of everyone who is part of it, but all along the road are people thanking you and little kids holding up signs saying “I am 11 years old thanks to you.”

The event itself is like a real life Survivor “reality” TV show except that it’s for real. The mission of finding the cure for cancers is real, the 192 miles of cycling is real, it’s done in real time, and it’s live. You’re constantly scrambling to stay on top of all the logistics–where is the food, the water, where is your stuff supposed to be, where are you sleeping, do you have all your bike stuff together–it’s a real adventure.

I have included two links for you below to two 3-minute videos. Invest the time, it’s worth it. You can actually see and feel the heart in everyone’s eyes. The cheering families, older people, and children by the side of the road have all been affected by the loss and suffering of loved ones because of cancer. Many of them, and many of the 5,000 cyclists and 2,500 volunteers, are survivors of cancer who are still alive because of research work that has been done through the funds provided by the Pan Mass Challenge (which is now in its 29th year).

It’s clear that with enough money, the number of research initiatives can be accelerated and the cures for numerous types of cancer can be found more quickly. Meanwhile, the Federal government has cut back. There are many successful paths now known but they need to be applied and tested with each variant of cancer. It’s that simple–it takes money to do these research “cycles,” the more money, the faster these effective treatments and protocols can be found and brought into wider use to save the lives of ourselves and people dear to us.

Your donations will continue to be accepted for the next month at this secure credit card link: https://www.pmc.org/egifts/giftinfo.asp?EgiftID=RR0088 . Please go there and give what you can to this superb cause.

These links below will give you a taste of the ride and the spirit from two participants:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6013569909118344625&q=pan+mass+challenge&total=41&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=8

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2216275061682166226&q=pan+mass+challenge