This fall I will be riding PMC Unpaved as part of Team Kermit to raise funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund. 100 percent of all rider-raised funds go directly to innovative cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber, one of the world's premier cancer centers dedicated to advancing cancer research and care.

My family's PMC journey started when my dad (John Varner) registered for his first ride from the oncology ICU in 2006. I have volunteered at the PMC since then, and rode once in 2021 as a reimagined rider alongside my dad. Two years ago, as a volunteer at registration in Sturbridge, I had a rider tell me I didn't look old enough to have volunteered the 16 years listed on my name tag. With some fuzzy math around COVID years, I have now spent more than half my life as a member of the family and I am so grateful to have this community.

There are many causes in the world and our country that are worth supporting and if the PMC isn't top of your list, I completely understand. If you have a little something to contribute though, everyone at the PMC (and especially me) would be very grateful. Cancer can be an extremely isolating and frightening disease to fight as a family, and any contribution to the community of support goes a long way.

Thank you and go PMC!