2020 Lizards

I’m starting this sitting on the bike… post my first week of training for my 1st Pan Mass Challenge… superficially, an activity of pure enjoyment… if it’s tapping back in a class or coasting along the beach – the freedom, the speed and the adrenaline rush is bliss.

This week, it’s just been different.

Each ride, I flash through different emotions… happy, sad, gut wrenching, numbing and ultimately humble appreciation. It’s pretty impressive the power that that C word has.

Personally, Cancer has always been understood as part of life and simply put, I DON’T want that to always be true.

My aunt and grandmother would have their regular radiation dates… no offense Mom but that’s something I never want to do with you.

I ride for both my grandmothers, my great aunt and countless extended family and friends who were taken too soon. I ride to support my aunt and countless friends and family whose worlds have been rocked. I ride for my father and myself and all the new genetic advances at Dana Farber so one day the BRCA gene holds no power over generations of families.

The PMC raises more money for charity than any other sporting event in the US and 100% of rider raised funds are donated to life-saving, innovative cancer research and treatment. I hope you will support me in my ride and reach my personal goal of $4,000.

Thank you for your support,

Leah

DFCI has been a part of my life since I was young. 40 years ago my mother co-founded the friends of Dana Farber Cancer Institute , which has to date raised more than $30 million to fuel promising research, care, and support programs. My sister now co-heads this organization, and I served on the board in the 1990s. My mom, sister and other family members all received wonderful care for their cancers at the institute.

My dad has been a stalwart volunteer at DFCI for almost 20 years now, serving lunch and just being with people receiving infusions. At 92, with his distinctive bow ties and upbeat demeanor, he is a fixture there. When I have tried to encourage him to go stay somewhere warm for a while in the winter, he says he won’t even consider it, as “he has a job to do and people at Dana Farber count on him.” So true!

Five members of my immediate family are presently involved at some level with DFCI, as patients, volunteers, and employees.

The PMC has been a family tradition since the 1980s. We all, 3 generations strong, worked the Wareham water stop, and then I started riding in the 90s, to be joined by family members. The year that my mother passed away from her cancer, we were 9 strong riding in her honor.

The spirit, camaraderie, and fund raising success of the PMC are the highlight of my summer. I pray that I can keep this body going so that I can ride into my 80s! But if not, I will happily volunteer for the ride. Go PMC!

Number 17! On August 3-4, I’m riding for my 17th time in the Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. As always, I ride in memory of my mom – Connie Sanders, my dad – Bob Sanders, Steve’s dad – Bob Fier, my Aunt Joyce, Brandon Thain, & David Ross. I also remember a dear college friend, Bambi Bachman Wulf, and of course, the Team Lizard team captain, founder & friend, Dave Mittelman. Team Lizard evolved as a group of friends with a common goal to make an impact on cancer care through fundraising for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

I ride on “Team Lizard” which evolved as a group of friends with a common goal to make an impact on cancer care through fundraising for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The main beneficiary of Team Lizard fundraising has been the area of integrative medicine – for those initiatives that incorporate the whole-person approach — designed to treat the person, not just the disease. When it comes to cancer care, the goal is to treat the mind, body, and spirit, all at the same time.

I will be riding for the 3 grandparents I have lost to cancer, including one I never had the chance to meet, as well as for countless other friends and family members whose lives have been affected both directly and indirectly by cancer.

Coming Soon

Twenty years ago I decided to ride the PMC after my seven year old nephew lost his battle with leukemia. For three years the Boston oncologists tried all the chemo protocols that were being used at that time and for a short time he rebounded and life was good. When chemo was no longer an option he and his family relocated to Seattle and a young family member bravely offered her bone marrow. After weeks of living in sterile isolation the cancer won out. Thanks to all of the cancer research generated by fundraising by the PMC a seven year old boy with his type of leukemia would be cured today.

Now after years of hearing the stories of so many cancer battles from other family members, friends, and Dana Farber patients I want to support the whole healing team with research and direct patient support. Each year the riding becomes more difficult ,the weather often a challenge,the muscles cramping sooner but the commitment and passion of over 6000 riders and volunteers more energizing.

Last summer, I spent an inordinate amount of time researching pain points in the cancer patient journey (FYI: there are a ton). My research and the experience of friends and family has led me to take the Pan-Mass Challenge: a fully supported bike-a-thon to benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Please consider supporting my ride in the fight to beat cancer. Your donation will go to the Mittelman Fund for Integrative Oncology which supports the unrestricted PMC fund (searching for a cure) while also contributing to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s nursing program, caring for patients who currently have cancer.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Cancer has been something our family has experienced first hand, losing both my father and sister to it. The quest for a cure to help end the agony of both patients and their families is my primary goal for riding the PMC. In addition to funding the great nursing work being done at the Dana Farber that Michele mentions, Team Lizard also supports several basic oncology research fellowships at the Dana Farber. Money raised by our team therefore is used to both treat patients and their families currently suffering with cancer as well as directly looking for a cure. I am most appreciative of all the support received by Team Lizard from all of the members and their donors. We ride to end this scourge! I also ride to join in the camaraderie and memories with good friends and family. The memories of so many rides, the great parts, hard parts, bike problems, logistics, weather and fun all are so important to me.

I ride for one of my two greatest heroes, Dad, who passed away on May 23rd 2017 of a glioblastoma, a most aggressive form of brain cancer. Dad participated in a clinical trial contributing his data to the mix in the hopes that one day there will be a cure, let alone preventative measures for this type of cancer. He was and continues to be one of the two most influential and inspiring people in my life. I dedicate myself to living for both of us and making him proud each and every day. I also honor him by riding my 9th Pan-Mass Challenge, a 162 mile bike ride across Massachusetts for cancer research. Riding unfortunately doesn’t make you immune; this would have been year 29 for Dad.

From hosting lemonade stands at age 4 to jumping rope to raise funds while still underage to ride, as far back as I can remember the PMC has brought my family together. I ride to be with my favorite people in the world, supporting a cause we all care deeply about. I ride because I know that any pain or hurdle I can overcome on a bicycle pales in comparison to what Dad, Aunt Vicki, Gramps and other family members have gone through in the hospital.

Please donate to my ride so one day a glioblastoma is a curable diagnosis, a surmountable hurdle one can jump over, go around or go under, a philosophy and manner in which Dad approached every day and challenge he encountered.

I ride because I can, and I will ride until we find a cure. This is my fourth PMC. This year, I will pedal in memory of the extraordinary life of my Uncle Ed, who we lost in 2015 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Ed was a physician and a lover of cycling, and I will particularly channel his energy as I tackle the hills of Cape Cod on Day 2. I am also riding in honor and memory of my Papa George – who I rode many a mile with into Harbor Springs, Michigan – and my husband’s Aunt Vicki. I am riding to celebrate the health of my good friend James. By riding, I am doing my small part to eradicate the horrible disease that has touched too many.

I ride to celebrate life, my family, and the hope that more people will have the chance to enjoy longer, healthier lives. It’s a way to honor the close friends and family we have lost to cancer by pushing for a better, cure-filled future. It’s a way for me to sweat and smile with those I care most about.

I ride for you, Dad. With you, for you and forever in your spirit.

This year, I ride in honor of my husband, Dave Mittelman who passed away from a glioblastoma, a most aggressive brain cancer. My life partner and the love of my life rode the Pan Mass Challenge for 28 years. I will dearly miss riding next to him. Dave participated in a phase II immunotherapy clinical trial – one that begins to offer great hope and promise for patients with glioblastomas.

All of us on Team Lizard channel our emotional and physical energy into advancing medical treatment, research, and care at the Dana Farber-Cancer Institute (DFI). The PMC is life-affirming, and offers a glance into a time when cancer will no longer be one of the leading causes of death in this country.

A portion of the amount raised by Team Lizard goes to the Nursing Department at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Nursing is deeply rooted in a tradition of caring and healing. Though cancer cannot always be cured, nurses work hard to help patients continue to heal throughout their experience at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Nursing care at DFCI is known for its person-centered, relationship-based approach. This approach to care allows for symptom management and integrative health interventions that best address the patient’s needs for healing body, mind and spirit. Care is provided within the context of the patient’s family and community using the best evidence available. Several initiatives that reflect DFCI nursing’s commitment to these principles, including the Integrative Nursing Program and the Cantor Center for Nursing Research are supported through Team Lizard fund raising.

On March 17, 2007 I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The next two years were extremely difficult on my family and me. At just 14 years old I was put through a medical-gauntlet of treatments and procedures no individual should ever have to experience. My parents and sisters were with me every step of the way, and I would not be the same person today had it not been for their unwavering love and support.

On April 30, 2009 I received my final dose of chemotherapy, and concluded my treatment! As a former patient, I have seen firsthand the amazing results that the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute can produce with proper funding. The Jimmy Fund Clinic provided me with care and treatment that was nothing short of spectacular. Each member of the JFC brought dedication, passion, and understanding to work every day to create a welcoming atmosphere that catered to both children, and their caregivers.

This summer, I’ll be riding in my second Pan-Mass Challenge to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s life-saving cancer research and treatment. I cannot stress enough the importance of your donation, no matter how small or large. Your donation is tax deductible and 100 percent will go to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute! This year I will also be riding as a Team Lizard rider, check out our website www.teamlizardpmc.org.

I am riding for my friends and family who helped me through my fight. I am riding for friends and family who are currently fighting back against cancer. I am riding for the caregivers who sacrifice so much for their loved ones. I am riding for the JFC and all the JFC Kids. I am riding so no one should ever have to fight back again.

Despite the tremendous gains in research and therapy for cancer there is still so much to do. And there are still cancers that are untreatable and fatal and devastating to individuals and families. My small role multiplied by 5000 PMC riders has raised over $500,000,000 for the Dana Farber. I’d like to still be riding when that number reaches $1,000,000,000 and the funds go to some other cause because there a cure or at least made cancer a chronic disease not a terminal illness.

Coming Soon