Marcia Dana: Why I Ride

Training for the PMC is the structure of my summer; riding it is my joy. Knowing that I’m making a difference, and fighting back against a disease that made me feel helpless, is, in a word, satisfying.

Marcia’s first Pan-Mass Challenge was for Erika, the fifth ride was for her late husband, Greg. She rides for her niece, Emily, who is 38 years post-remission. She rides for her cousin, Sigrid, an avid Red Sox fan and survivor of multiple brain tumors. She rides for her partner, a two-time survivor. Marcia has completed more than 20 rides.

My first PMC was in 2006. The reason I chose to ride and raise money for PMC is that a friend’s 6 yearold daughter, Erika, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. When I inquired how I could help, my friend asked for prayers. Prayer is a wonderful thing, but I wanted to do something more concrete. I had recently returned to cycling and decided to ride for Erika Gould. Erika used to tell people she spelled her name with a “K” because it’s strong and straight, and she’s too bold for a curlyque “C.” 

I trained all that summer with a photo of Erika on my handlebars. She helped me climb the hills and kept me pedaling through the long miles. It turns out that I rode in Erika’s memory that first year. I met up with her family en route and cried through the next 5 miles. Between the PMC’s mission to fight cancer and the camaraderie among the riders and volunteers, I was hooked.

In 2009, my husband, Greg, was diagnosed with a rare non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We sought treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Eric Jacobsen was not only an expert in his field but also caring and compassionate. At each visit, he listened to what Greg had to say and asked about what he might not have mentioned. In 2011, Greg rode about 20 miles of the PMC. He had watched me pedal into Provincetown for 5 years and wanted to experience it for himself. While he ran out of time in his cancer battle in 2012, I am grateful for the care we received that gave us three more years of quality time. 

Since 2006, I’ve completed the two-day ride. After that, I made a concession to my advancing years and started riding just the one-day route from Wellesley to Bourne. I’ve ridden with groups and as a solo rider. I’ve ridden with my son, my husband, dear friends, and with strangers. Each year, it is the same yet different.

Patients keep getting diagnosed with cancer, and yet, so many more survive because of the money we raise for cancer research and care.

My mission is clear. I have so many reasons to ride. I ride for my niece, who is 38 years post-remission. I ride for my partner, who is a two-time survivor. I ride for the loved ones of all of my sponsors. I will keep riding and fundraising for PMC and DFCI as long as I am able.