I Really Need Your Help!

After a bit of a challenging year, I'm back!  As most of you know, cycling is my passion and even though I have been an avid cyclist for many years, the 2014 PMC was the first time I ever road in a fundraising event.  I have never been big on asking others for money, but was talked into riding the PMC by my wife, Jo-Ann and her longtime friend "Gi" who had ridden the 2013 PMC and was hooked.  After much resistance on my part, I finally agreed to do it "Just one time!"  Well, then came the PMC weekend.  It was the coldest and wettest PMC weekend in its 35 year history!   August 1st and the temperature hovered around 62 degrees and I still believe that I saw an old guy in a big boat filled with animals go by me!  I was hooked!!!  Not only was I helping to raise money for cancer research, I was riding with some of the most amazing people I had ever met!  Team Forza-G is the best!  Not only were my fellow teammates and riders amazing, more importantly, so were my family, friends, and even people that I had never met!  When I reregistered for the ride that year I was terrified not of the 192 miles that I had to ride over the 2 days, that was not a concern.   I was scared to death of the $4300.00 fundraising commitment that I made.  Foolish me!!!  Thanks to all of my family, friends, and complete strangers I raised $10,010.00 and the best part of that, is the fact that 100% of rider raised money goes to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute!!!  What an amazing feeling it was to know that I helped in some small way to fight this awful disease!  As for the challenging year, I was unable to ride the 2015 PMC due to knee replacement surgery in Oct. 2014 that didn't go so well.  Then in May of 2015 when I was finally getting close to being able to start riding again I was hit by a truck while walking my dog!  The good news is that my German Shepherd, Inara, was okay!  I on the other hand didn't fare so well.  Let's just say that my bride Jo-Ann is my hero!  She got to me before any first responders and I was fortunate enough that she was once CPR trained.  Well, fast forward to December and I finally took my first bike ride in 14 months.  It may have only been for 2 miles, but it was a great 2 miles and I'm back!!!  Although I still have a ways to go before riding almost 200 miles in 2 days, I WILL DO IT!  What I am asking of you, is to please help me raise money to beat this awful disease!  My goal this year is to once again break the $10,000.00 barrier!  I know that it is a lofty goal, but it is one that I will dedicate the next year to completing and with the help of all of you I know that I will!  Every donation, no matter how big or how small helps!  Please donate whatever you feel that you can and know that you are greatly appreciated by not only me, but all of those fighting the battle with this ugly disease!  If you work for a company that offers matching contributions, please ask them for their help as well, and feel free to share this with others!  Donations can be made at: www.pmc.org/pd0156 or you can make a check out to: Pan-Mass Challenge and mail it to me.

Thank You All From The Bottom Of My Heart!

Pete DelMastro