This is my day!

"So, yes this is MY day, and I will be somewhere." - Dan Field

This is a day in which I give you the words from another. Each of us have family, friends and others that have been affected by cancer. When we hear of it, we feel powerless and deficient to do anything about it. But there are things we can do.

- We can support fundraising efforts in support of research.
- We can take part in awareness campaigns that help minimize risk of cancer.
- We can support those dealing with cancer today, simply being there, loving them.

The following are words from a work friend of mine regarding his close friend. It is about the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. It is about words from a man who embodied hope for others, even as hope faded for him.

Please take the time to read and possibly support this one of many good causes. Ten, one hundred or a thousand dollars go a long way and every dime is greatly appreciated.

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From Tim Colligan - Profile

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I again would like to start by thanking everyone who has generously donated to the DFCI supporting my ride this year. I also appreciate your words of encouragement and thanks. The thanks however, need to be directed to the good people at DFCI and the hard work they do caring for patients and families and of course working to discover better treatment, care and ultimately a cure for this horrible disease that affects too many.

Back on February 4th which was World Cancer Day, I briefly wrote about a few of the people I personally dedicate my fundraising efforts and my bike ride to; Dan Field was one of them.

Dan is a close friend who is the guy that got me back on a bike and involved with this event, the Pan-Mass Challenge. I have been involved as a rider, event volunteer or kids ride volunteer every year since. Dan’s journey started back in 2002 around the holidays after a health event at work. Shortly after, Dan was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. A husband and father of two, his worst fears were realized. Dan’s 1st brain surgery was shortly before Christmas that year followed by a specific treatment protocol.

Living in Massachusetts and being a cycling enthusiast, I knew about the Pan-Mass Challenge and day one of the route runs through a portion of the town we live in. As a thank you for the care and treatment Dan received at BWMC/DFCI he committed to and rode his 1st PMC in 2003, 8 months after surgery and treatment.

I was more than happy to support his efforts and donated to his ride. I believe it was in 2004 when I got the first “why don’t you ride the PMC this year” from Dan. I laughed it off and stated that I will stick to donating money. But in 2005, the tumors in Dan’s brain returned. A second surgery followed and when time to sign up for the 2006 PMC came, Dan did not hesitate. If he he could physically ride the bike, he was in.

Here is where my role changed.

When Dan asked me to join him in 2006, how could I say no? This guy endured two brain surgeries, radiation, chemo, months of treatment, countless tests, hospital visits and he is still on the bike. What was my excuse? So my PMC journey began and it was personal.

We all have a friend, a family member, someone we love affected by cancer, I only had to look to my wife who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Not to mention aunts, uncles, friends and Dan.

Then in the summer of 2012, Dan said in his cool, ‘I have it covered’ style, told me his latest MRI was not good and the tumors were back. More tests and surgery number three followed just days before Dan’s 10th PMC. Dan was unable to ride, but I met him Sunday morning, day two of the PMC to greet our teammates on Setucket Rd in the town of Dennis enroute to P-town.

A third brain surgery could not keep him away. And Dan continued to defy the cancer for two more years, but his body could not take it and as Dan said to me once, ‘the cancer has gotten smarter. It learned how to beat the treatment.’

Dan passed away July 17, 2014 surrounded by his loving family.

Through the last 12+ years Dan was battling this disease, not once did I hear him complain or feel sorry for himself. He endeavored, fought on and gave back. I’m a better person for having Dan in my life.

Here is an excerpt from a message Dan wrote to his family and friends in 2012:

“I have been training hard for the PMC (my 10th year riding!) and feel like I am ahead of the game with being in perfect shape for this ride. Time will tell whether I will ride the whole thing, part of it or I will be at the pedal partner stop cheering my team on.

I will be somewhere on my day!

I say my day, because I feel very strongly about raising the money so desperately needed to fund cancer research. This disease affects so many people, people with the cancer, people who take care of the people with cancer, family, and friends. One day I wish this would never have to be the case, and the only way possible is to raise the money, one dollar at a time.

So, yes this is MY day, and I will be somewhere.”

It is Dan’s day and he will be there with me and the rest of his teammates August 2 & 3 pushing us up that hill or helping us reach deep when we are out of gas in the dunes in Truro, because that’s what Dan would do.

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I ask you to generously support Tim's 2014 PMC ride with a tax deductible donation. Any amount is appreciated and 100% of the funds raised goes directly to the DFCI.

Each year, Tim carries with him the names of friends and family of those who are or have battled cancer in honor and tribute for the 190 miles. It is both a reminder and incentive to push through the miles and is truly the reason why each cyclist and volunteer is out there.

Thank you everyone and stay inspired.

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