Why I PMC guest blog by Daniella Garran, 7-year PMC Winter Cycle Living Proof® rider
As a life-long camper and staff member at Cape Cod Sea Camps, I arose on the first Sunday every
August to head down to "Da Hedge" with 500 others to cheer on the riders in the PMC. It was always an inspiration to see thousands of riders fly by, with some occasionally stopping to high-five the campers and staff. In 2019, Da Hedge became personal. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer that February, I had just finished 12 rounds of chemo at Dana-Farber the week prior to that summer's PMC. As my good friends on the camp's PMC team – Team Schuyler & Logan – pulled into camp for a quick hello and photo opp, I fought back tears; all I could muster was a simple, "thank you." I knew that my treatment and the research that made it possible was made possible thanks to each of the riders, including my friends. 
That August, standing behind Da Hedge, I vowed to give back to Dana-Farber when I was able to do so. In January of 2020, while still undergoing antibody infusions at Dana-Farber, I hopped on a bike at Fenway Park and pedaled with all my heart and the knowledge that I would be giving back to the institution that saved my life. I recognize how incredibly lucky I am to be considered Living Proof, and it is an honor to be recognized as such at the start of my Winter Cycle sessions.
My experience at Dana-Farber was one of hope and possibility. I was seen as an individual – a mother, a daughter, a wife, and a teacher – rather than simply as another cancer patient. I ride as a way of saying thank you to Dr. Ian Krop and Dr. Meredith Faggen, as well as my nurses Kim and Jillian; they are the reason I'm here today. I hope that my efforts will help continue the life-saving research and care that takes place at Dana-Farber..jpg?width=600&height=450&name=IMG_0813%20(1).jpg)
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