This will be my 7th year riding the PMC. The fundraising is a challenge. The first year the minimum was $1300, now it is $3000. Fortunately family and friends continue to be generous every year. But as the minimum increases I do stress about it especially because my letters seem to go out later and later every year (you would think I'd have a better system in place by now).

But I continue to ride the ride because I am a breast cancer patient at Dana Farber (currently 8 year survivor). The Institute is an incredible place. You can feel the "pulse" of the place as soon as you walk in. Doctors, nurses, staff all ride the PMC too, I usually bump into my oncologist several times during the weekend.

By taking part in the ride I feel I'm doing my part to fight cancer. The impact of the ride towards finding a cure is huge, over $120 million raised in 25 years. Every year we have guest speakers that have been treated at Dana Farber or physicians that are finding better ways to treat cancer and it is very motivating for me.

The ride is well supported through the entire weekend. My husband volunteers both Saturday and Sunday at the water stops and gets as much satisfaction as I do. It is one of the best weekends of the year.

Registration begins in January each year. Check it out: www.pmc.org

Maureen