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. This year our family gained a new appreciation for this as, with the help of Dana-Farber, my dad and I both learned that we carry a specific gene mutation that moderately elevates our cancer risk. With this information, we also both now know the additional screenings and check ups we need - all based on guidelines written by doctors here in Boston at Dana-Farber, and funded in part by the amazing community of PMC donors.

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 ridden twice alongside my dad (once in 2021 as a reimagined rider and in 2024 for my first PMC Unpaved). 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 and the medical research happening at Dana-Farber goes a long way.

Thank you and go PMC!