The PMC holds this Heavy Hitter dinner each year for riders who attained Heavy Hitter status as a result of raising a certain amount of money in the most recent PMC. This past year was Jared's 7th PMC and his first year achieving Heavy Hitter status, so this event was a very special moment for him.
At the Dinner, a family talked about their 2 and a half year old son Brent's battle with a hard to treat cancer called neuroblastoma. As his mother explained, in one night their little boy went from a regular kid to a kid fighting cancer. As his father noted, that night also forced their family to leave the world of regular people doing regular things and enter the world of people dealing with cancer. Brent's parents recounted his grueling treatment and his remarkable recovery at Dana Farber. They told stories of the excellent care they received at Dana Farber, and the countless PMC supporters helping them through it all. Two doctors also spoke about how lucky they are to work at a place like Dana Farber, because they can have real hope for the patients they see, due in part, to the support of the PMC. Brent's father became a PMC rider during his son's treatment. He told many inspiring stories about PMC riders, volunteers, and donors who all do what they do for one goal: to beat cancer.
Brent was at the dinner and just so happened to be turning 9 years old the next day (today!). He is now cancer free, and appeared to be just like any other little boy. I sobbed (as did everyone in the room) through his parents' stories and his big reveal. A piece of me wanted to believe that Brent's story was uncommon, that kids don't really get cancer and that cancer treatment isn't so bad. On the way home Jared noted that Brent's story was not particularly unique. Unfortunately, there are a lot of other children and adults, just like Brent, who are facing difficult to treat and other cancers. Fortunately, just like Brent, there are a lot of people who are surviving cancer too. Having ridden in the PMC for so many years Jared is much closer to the reality of cancer than I have been, and this event was a real reality check for me.
Brent's parents thanked the riders for saving their son's life. When they said that, I couldn't help but realize that Brent's diagnosis came just after Jared started riding in the PMC. I was always proud of Jared for his riding and fundraising efforts, and I always knew that he was making a difference, but in this moment, I really knew how big a difference he had made. It was very emotional to see the real "living proof" of what he and so many other riders do every year. The money that Jared raised over the last seven years, that all his faithful donors donated, didn't just go to some amorphous cancer effort, which I guess is how I used to see it. That money helped save this little boy and keep a family together. People live because Jared rides. People live because so many of you support him with your love and donations.
I am inspired to help Jared's fundraising efforts with renewed vigor this year, and I hope I can play a little part in making cancer history. Although I'm not ready to commit to riding 192 miles in one weekend, I am committing to riding 192 miles total by the end of the summer. This will be a challenge for me, but I know it is nothing compared to what people battling cancer must go through. I hope my commitment inspires you, just as Jared and the many other PMC riders have inspired me. Please follow Jared and me throughout this journey, his eighth PMC, at the links below.
Please visit my very own PMC fundraising page to make a donation to Jared's ride. http://www.pmc.org/profile/HC0047
Also, please follow Jared's training and fundraising journey at: http://closerbythemile.blogspot.com Check out past postings for a recap of past PMC's and great photos to learn more about this amazing event.
I've always been in awe of Jared and his dedication to PMC. But this year with training to do 9 miles in my triathalon what Jared has done so many times, and will continue to do, out and out amazes me! 9 miles kills me, I can't imagine doing 192.
ReplyDeleteSo Heather, I've got your back here in NC. I too will bike 192 miles by the end of the summer in support of Jared and the lives he sets out to change every year!
Love you both
Corrie
That's awesome! Good luck in your triathlon and in getting 192 miles in this summer. We can keep each other motivated!
ReplyDelete$33,000,000 Holy Smokes! Jared is a Heavy Hitter!
ReplyDeleteThat was the entire amount the PMC raised last year, but they let the heavy hitters hold the big check at Fenway and get their picture taken.
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