On Saturday, July 12, thousands of participants will walk, bike, row, golf and mountain bike in the Upper Valley or virtually all over the globe to raise funds for the Dartmouth Cancer Center. In 1995 after my mother lost her grueling battle with ovarian cancer Milton and I did our first Prouty century ride. It was an emotional ride and truly cathartic. It made me feel I was doing what I could in memory of my mother to raise funds that would support research to improve treatments for people everywhere who in years to come would face the diagnosis of that dreadful disease.

That experience inspired me to continue riding every year since. In 2020 when I was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma I learned how it feels to have friends and family show their support through the Prouty. Krysta started a team called “For the Mamas” to honor me and the mamas of her three close friends, all battling cancer.

Last year, after I recovered from a broken hip, I did my virtual Prouty ride in memory of my sister, Susie, who died two weeks after being diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. This year I will ride for Sarah, a 52 year old mama of two and the daughter of my first cousin. Sarah was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma which has metastasized to her brain. She lives in Canton, NY and travels to Sloan Kettering to see her oncologist … 12 hours (at least!) roundtrip.  She has a hopeful path forward but it is even more challenging due to the distance she must drive. 

I am forever reminded how fortunate we are to have a world class cancer center right here in the Upper Valley - a leader in groundbreaking research and patient treatments. I am a survivor today thanks to the revolutionary immunotherapy and outstanding care at Dartmouth Cancer Center. Prouty Pilot Grants helped fund the preliminary research on Nivolumab - the immunotherapy treatment that literally saved my life.

If you would like to join me in honor or in memory of your loved ones …

To participate: you can join Krysta’s team, “For the Mamas.”  

https://getinvolved.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/site/TR?fr_id=2160&pg=entry

Or to simply support the cause: you can make a donation in any amount.

https://getinvolved.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/site/TR?pg=pfind&fr_id=2160