My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer at the end of March, just days before he was set to retire and start a new chapter of his life. This was certainly not the chapter we all hoped he'd be starting. He's been fighting bravely, and it's a vicious disease. I've been back and forth from MA to CO more times than I can count, supporting our family and getting to know his care team at Dana Farber -- who have all been wonderful.
I'm following in my big brother Mark's footsteps and heading back east to ride a 50k gravel race -- the Tour de Rhody, a fundraiser started by his/our family's bestie since elementary school, Dr. Tom. He's a badass oncologist who bikes to work daily, rain or shine. He started this race to raise funds to support clinical trials for the Brown University Oncology Research Group at the Lifespan Cancer Institute in Providence, RI. Dad is meeting with doctors there to see what options he might have to fight on for a little while longer. I won't be asking for money directly, and any support is much appreciated, even a like on this post.
My dad used to take me to preschool on the back of his bike, and I remember thinking I was SO COOL with my own helmet that I got to hang up in my cubby. I loved riding on the back and could not wait to get my own wheels. My dad taught me to ride my bike when I was 5, and I'll never forget that freeing feeling of being able to get around on my own on two wheels. Since then, I've been a bike enthusiast. I bike commute whenever I can, and recently I've gotten into mountain biking as well. Even Principal Emily (my work ID badge photo above) will take any opportunity I can get to promote biking and bike safety! (and being silly of course!)
I'm not gonna lie -- this fight has been just awful for everyone involved. While there are no silver linings, the outpouring of love and support from everyone has kept us all going, and we appreciate it so very much.
Tour de Rhody #6
Tour de Rhody is a road and gravel cycling tour to support cancer research in Rhode Island. This year we will again start and finish at beautiful Salisbury Farm at 11 Peck Hill Rd. in Johnston, RI. The ride will take place on the morning of September 22, 2024, with a rolling start.
Rides range from around 15 miles on road or gravel to a full metric gravel century. There are pure road and mostly gravel (dirt roads that at time border on trail) routes. Routes can be challenging and the gravel routes explore historic areas around the Scituate Reservoir. These roads are closed to the public and the Providence Water Supply Board has graciously offered us one day access.
The ride supports the trials designed by the Brown University Oncology Group and the event itself is graciously hosted by the Lifespan Cancer Institute. These trials give patients access to groundbreaking new therapies and other new and emerging cancer treatments at various stages of diagnosis and across many cancer types.
In its first year in 2019, Tour de Rhody raised over $18,000. We continue to grow substantially each year with your support and by 2024 have raised over $400,000. Let's see where we can go from here!
Tour de Rhody has become a key fundraiser to support cancer research in Rhode Island. Since 2019, over $400,000 has been raised to support cancer clinical trials in Rhode Island designed through the Brown University Oncology Research Group. The Lifespan Cancer Institute graciously sponsors the event itself. Tour de Rhody supports investigator initiated trials, that is where physicians and researchers are the ones developing and designing the trials, that directly benefit Rhode Islanders. These trials lead to the discoveries advancing new cancer treatments and cures worldwide