News from the Top

Karen, a friend of mine and also a mentor, will be riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge to raise funds for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, to support cancer research and therapy. She will be riding a 92-mile path from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts to Mass. Maritime Academy in Cape Cod. This will be her second year. Here’s what she says about it:

On August 1, 2009, I am again participating in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge. The PMC is a 92-mile bicycle ride to raise money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, through its Jimmy Fund. Additionally, the PMC is the best fundraising effort of its kind donating 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause.

As you probably know, I made my novice run last year and was able to finish in 7 hours and 15 minutes (better than I thought) and raised $3,200.00 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. At the time I was thrilled to have accomplished the goal in my sister’s name and in the names of all of your loved ones for whom you asked me to ride. (I rode with each name on my helmet as a tribute to their courage strength and memory.) – It was a wonderful experience!

As many of you know, my family has been deeply affected by cancer as my mother and sister both lost their lives to breast cancer. While their absence from our family continues to be enormously painful—everyday—and it was the feeling of helplessness and the need to do something which brought me to last year’s ride.

However, this year I will ride with a whole new awareness since little did I know that three months after last year’s ride, I would personally become all too familiar with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the battle of fighting cancer.

With a December, 2008 diagnosis of Breast Cancer, my life has been altered in such a profound way that I can only describe it as my greatest fear coming true, my greatest challenge, and in the end my greatest opportunity…to truly live.

Last year, I was asked many times “why would you want to ride 92 miles in one day?” And my best answer seemed to be “why not?” It sure seemed like the right thing to do. While the ride was a wonderful experience for me, it cannot compare with the meaning with which I will embark upon this year’s ride.

Therefore, my ride, while raising money for research and treatment, will be above all be my way of saying “thank-you” for the care, support, encouragement and love that I received as well as a tribute to every individual affected by cancer…those who are survivors, those who currently struggle, those who are caregivers, and those who have lost their courageous battle but remain forever in our hearts and minds.

Nothing can compare with the grace, grit, strength, and courage with which so many have faced their battle with cancer and if you have ever said…“if only there were something I could do.” Well, the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is what I can do and with your help, it can be so much more.

If you are interested in helping me meet my fundraising goal and provide support for cancer research and treatment, I would be most appreciative. To make a donation, there are two options available as follows:

Option 1: e-gifts

e-gifts can be made on-line using a major credit card by going on-line to http://www.pmc.org/egifts/ . To link your donation to me you should choose the first option: “sponsor one rider with one gift” and use my e-gift ID which is KW0102. (you can also search for me by name.)

Once you have entered my e-gift ID KW0102 (or name) click “search” the page will present Karen Ward – Marshfield, MA US and then you can enter the amount of your donation and credit card information.

Option 2: Checks

If you would prefer to send your donation in check form you can most certainly do that! Here is how.

Make your check payable to Pan-Massachusetts Challenge. Please do not make checks payable to me!

Send your check to me at my work address:

Karen Ward
SkillsUSA Massachusetts
250 Foundry Street
South Easton, MA 02375

I will collect all donations made by check and deposit them with the PMC. The PMC provides all riders with deposit tickets and mailing labels to insure proper deposit and connection to a specific rider. Again, please do not make checks payable to me!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this email and thanks for your consideration of a donation to benefit cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.

Oh yeah, I would also appreciate your kind thoughts on Saturday, August 1, 2009! I am sure it will be a long day but in the end well worth the effort.

You can also read more about her 2008 ride at this link.