The following is an email I received this morning from one of my docs.
Paul
Dear Pals o' the Posse,
Words can never express for me the experience of riding with you all. This is not just the "endorphin high" speaking now, either - this PMC was a deeply moving and truly inspiring time. I never, ever, EVER in a million years thought that I would be able to do more than the distance of the first two water stops along the route on the first day alone! But the commitment of this Posse in support of Paul gave me new insights into pushing oneself for others. The energy was awesome (I feel like my mitochondria grew their own mitochondria to provide energy I never thought possible). Most importantly, I cannot thank enough the elite and highly trained athletes who rode with me, purposefully dropping down MANY notches from their own native pace, to ensure my survival! Mark Epstein went way above and beyond the call of duty to ride VERY slowly with me the first day and to be reassuring, calm (despite my wanting to bail at the lunch stop after a near-faint), and always supportive. On day two, everyone seemed to help me out in so many different ways, with my memory especially noting Paul, Chris, Geoff, Carolyn, John, Laura’s unflinching dedication and strength, and the nearly supernatural powers of Ron to help me move up a couple of hills.
I also cannot say enough about how impressed I am that Gary came from NYC to be a part of all this. A real testimony to his character, generosity and commitment to Paul as well.
Medicine is, at heart, a service profession, and seeing you all serve Paul as such a wonderful community of family, friends, and colleagues helped me to reconnect on the deepest level possible with that spirit of service.
The energy of this event has been a transforming experience in the most positive way possible. The old adage may be overused, but it is nonetheless true: a small group of committed people can truly change the world. Let’s keep changing it for the better. This experience has changed me in such a positive way, and for that I am truly thankful.
My team at Dana-Farber is already making plans for how they will participate next year. The first weekend in August is blocked out in my calendar already for 2008 for next year’s PMC – hope to see you all there.
Posse up!
Be well,
George
George D. Demetri, MD
Director, Ludwig Center
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA USA
www.dfci.org
Executive Director for Clinical and Translational Research
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Zurich, Switzerland and New York, USA
www.licr.org
Paul,
I just finished my 1st PMC ride. It was the most amazing experience of my life and I will be back next year. I rode with my 2 brothers and sister in honor of my mom who lost her battle with Inflamatory Breast Cancer July 2006, one week before my brother and sister were to ride in their 2nd PMC. I saw your article in the UMass Alumni magazine, I am a '77 graduate, and went on you web site. As everything I have read and heard about the PMC inspires me so have you. I am not an athlete so this was a new and wonderful challenge. It has truely changed my life forever. Thank you for sharing your story and strength. You will be in my thoughts and prayers and who knows maybe we'll meet next year.
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen Ross Hickey | September 03, 2007 at 08:52 AM
Paul!
Ditto Dr. D's mitochondrial experience! Although for me I feel our ride did more to stir my endoplasmatic reticulum and golgi complex. But hey, everyone's different....
OK, well, it wasn't exactly the PMC, but our ride was a delightful tool around the backroads of the Hamptons with you two weeks ago! Kris and I had a blast - and yes, thanks for slowing down for us beach-crusier geezers. Thankfully, we hit you on a mellow training week!
We had a blast, let's do it again. Look out - if I take the 5 pounds of anti-theft gear off my city-fied cyclocross, you're in for a run for your money...
Best,
Brian
Posted by: Brian Fassett | September 05, 2007 at 09:30 AM