The Power of "One" to Make a Difference

The Power of One to Make a Difference – Life has been incredibly good to me… I am so very fortunate to have a terrific family, wonderful wife and a healthy and close extended family. I am also equally fortunate to have good health, work for an amazing company (HP), engage daily with equally amazing colleagues and I live in a community that is rooted in solid values. Simply said – When I wake up every day I consider myself to be very lucky. Why then do I share this story – and “how much difference can one person really make?”

On August 4th and 5th our son Jack (20) and I will clip into our bicycles and pedal 2 Days, 200 Miles from Sturbridge Massachusetts to Provincetown Massachusetts. For me this was an easy choice – as this will be my 5th “Pan Mass Challenge” (PMC) and for Jack his very first. Our decision over the holidays to ride was founded in the power of “giving back”. One of my wife’s best friends was a wonderful person – always thinking of others and the first to go above and beyond. Andrea went into a local Boston Hospital for an outpatient surgery – to unfortunately hear the devastating words “Ovarian Cancer”. She was the fountain of life – bubbly, smart, humble, an understated elegance and remarkably genuine. Cancer took its toll with a ferocity and we lost Andrea far too early and far too young. 

We decided to get involved in the PMC because cancer had just gotten too close to ignore. Equally important through personal research we discovered that real, meaningful and powerful cures were being discovered and allowing fellow humans the benefit of long rewarding lives. The goal of the PMC is to provide the Dana-Farber Cancer institute doctors and researchers the necessary resources to discover cures for all types of cancer. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to Dana Farber. It's the most successful fundraising event for charity in the nation, also among the leanest. In 2017 the PMC riders raised an astonishing $51M.

Riding in the PMC has taught me that this event capitalizes on the essential decency of the human condition, and that, as human beings, one of our greatest needs is to give back. The ride reinforces to me, that we are all -- by choice or default -- a part of a larger community.

The PMC has been something of a personal journey for me, something I had to do, had to complete, had to succeed at, and I am pleased and proud that I am riding for my 5th and our oldest son has decided to make a personal commitment as well. Just for a moment, I want you to think about cancer. How many people do you know who have had some form of cancer? I'm willing to bet that most of you know at least one and hopefully that person is still alive. I would like to think that cancer can be cured in my lifetime.

With this in mind I am asking for your help and personal consideration. In order to participate, Jack and I must raise at least $4900 dollars (Each). I am grateful for your consideration and any donation will be greatly appreciated. The best way to help is simple: make a donation directly to the PMC through my fund-raising account. It's all done via a secure site, and only takes two or three minutes and a credit card - my Rider Id is TG0055

https://www.pmc.org/egifts/giftinfo.asp?eGiftID=TG0055

There are many things that are unsure in our future... What I do know with all of my heart is that we can all make a difference. We can all be part of the cure!

I hope you can help me by being the wind at my back!

Todd