Economic Developer Rides Against Cancer

Why I Ride ...

One month from today I will embark on a 3-day 230 mile odyssey from Suffield CT to Provincetown, MA. I'm a proud supporter of the Pan Mass Challenge because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure. I'm riding in memory of two amazing women and former colleagues who lost their battles with cancer this year, Anne Karas and Connie Maffeo. Anne was a very personable lady who served the State of Connecticut for nearly three decades in economic development.  Anne administered the State Enterprise Zone Program for the Department of Economic and Community Development.  I had the pleasure of working with Anne in the establishment of the Bradley Airport Development Zone which has already begun to have an important impact on the airport region.  Anne's legacy will live on in so many ways. Connie Maffeo will be remembered, amongst other things, for her two decades of service with the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) where she was the Director of the Business Response Center.  If you had a question about starting a business or growing a business Connie would skillfully get you to the right resources and do so in such a pleasant way.  She was cherished by her colleagues at CERC and her loving family and it was heart-wrenching to witness the goodbyes.  But her memory will live on with all the people she came in contact with. I also ride for other colleagues and family members who have faced cancer bravely and have survived.  There is no doubt that they benefitted from the important research and development initiatives that Dana-Farber and other cancer centers have pursued. Finally, I ride in honor of my sister Denise and her husband Christos who have established the first PMC Kids Ride in the state of Connecticut.  Denise and Christos are passionate about this cause as they have lost several close family and friends to cancer.  The inagural Suffield PMC Kids Ride included over 80 participants who helped raise $11,000.  My two kids stepped to the plate and raised enough funds to be considered "Heavy Hitters" and I was so very proud of them.  This year the second annual Suffield Kids Ride on Saturday, May 11th witnessed 98 riders who raised over $13,000.     I'm hoping with this ride that we'll come a step closer to finding a cure to cancer and finding more effective treatments. Thanks for supporting the PMC and my ride!
To donate please visit -http://www2.pmc.org/profile/PM0248