In 2010, 1.5 million deaths from cancer are predicted in the U.S. 157,000 in California. 36,000 in Massachusetts. 28,000 in Maryland. 101,000 in Texas.
The 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers diagnosed between 1999-2005 is 68%, up from 50% in 1975-1977.
So we’re making progress in the war on cancer, but we’re not winning – we have yet to experience a world without cancer.
On the first weekend of each August, I ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), a two-day, 192-mile cycling event that raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Pan-Mass Challenge has grown tremendously over time – since its inception more than 30 years ago, the event has raised $270 million. In last year’s extremely challenging economic climate, the PMC made the third largest gift in its history, more than $30 million. For the last three years, 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar went directly to Dana-Farber, an unparalleled accomplishment for any philanthropic organization. This year’s goal is to raise $31 million, critical to sustaining the cutting edge cancer technology developed and offered at Dana-Farber.
I take this challenge seriously, and I want to be a part of the effort to search for a solution. I hope you want to be part of it too. For my part, I will send out letters to raise money, train hard, and ride 192 grueling miles in the heat of the Massachusetts summer. For your part, I’m asking you to make a pledge to the cause.
You can donate securely online by credit card at http://www.pmc.org/egifts/default.asp - my egiftID is EK0035. Your tax-deductible check can be made payable to “The PMC” and sent to me at 4435 Caminito Tecera, Del Mar, CA 92014. If you do nothing else you can think about me on August 7 and 8 – neither pedaling nor making a difference will likely come easily.
Somewhere on the road between Sturbridge and Provincetown, a cancer-free world will become a reality. Thank you for helping create it.
Ellen
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
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