by Frank Schroth
Anyone now living likely knows someone who is not . . . as a result of cancer. Last Sunday hundreds of walkers made their way through Milton in support of breast cancer victims and survivors. This August hundreds of cyclists will participate in the Pan-Mass Challenge, an athletic fundraiser for cancer research at the Dan-Farber Cancer Institute. One of those riders will be Alex O’Brien. Her cousin has been battling bone and tissue cancer all his life. It hasn’t been easy and she wants to help.
The Pan-Mass Challenge is the single largest fundraiser for the Dana-Farber Institute. According to their website they contribute every dollar raised to the center. In 2011 that amount was 60% of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. To date they have raised $338 million for cancer research and treatment. The Challenge has a variety of segments for riders of varying ability and expertise. The longest stretches from Sturbridge to Provincetown. You can learn more here.
For Alex witnessing her cousin’s courage was inspiring. He has Ewing’s Sarcoma. He has undergone treatment and beaten it back twice. But it also fights back. Alex notes in her statement that Schuyler is not giving in. “He has already started treatment and will be doing whatever it takes to fight this. ”
She goes on to say:
I am learning that all it takes is a little training and a lot of determination. I will be riding not only for Schuyler, but also for my Uncle Paul, Aunt Cassie, and Grandpa D, who are battling/have battled cancer at some point and everyone else I know (or don’t know) who has been affected by cancer in whatever way.
And this is just one woman’s story of why she is riding. Sadly, there are thousands of stories like this. You can read Alex’s complete statement and support her effort here. Alex, daughter of Liz Diemen and Dennis O’Brien, is a graduate of MHS and UMass.