Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Fundraising Update - $49,832.56

June 30th - Total Team PHAT Tuesday fundraising update: $49,832.56

Thank you for your support!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Big Scan Coming Up

An update from our Pedal Partner Elle's care page.

On Monday, Elle will get the big post-treatment CT scan that we've been waiting for. Depending on the results she will either be started on another course of treatment, have a biopsy, or be declared cured and have her IV port removed. Naturally, we are hoping for the latter.

I don't think I have to stress any further how important this is. Please join us in a prayer push for Elle this weekend. Just ask for the scan to show no evidence of disease. Thanks so much!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Teammate profile - Kevin Robbins

Kevin and his wife Debbie are ardent supporters of the Pan Mass Challenge and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. One of the originals of the group, here is Kevin’s story in his own words…

I rode my first PMC in 1992 with Deb’s brother Tom after our brother- in- law Kevin was diagnosed with lung cancer. My sister Karen was already a 16 year survivor of breast cancer and my Grandmother died from colon cancer at the young age of 54. I saw the PMC as way to fight back. My brother in law lost his battle a few months after my first ride. My Father was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 1994. That same year my wife Deb joined me in riding. We rode several memorable PMC’s on a tandem.

Over the next few years several other family members and friends heard the words “You have cancer”. Some have fought and won their battle against cancer while for others the outcome has not been as good. Treatments that were in the developmental stage when I began riding are now used on a daily basis saving countless lives.

In February of 2009, my mother underwent emergency surgery to remove a cancerous tumor blocking her colon. Although, they were able to remove the tumor the cancer had metastasized to other organs. On April 8th my, Mom lost her battle passing peacefully surrounded by family. During my 18 years of riding my Mother was my biggest supporter extremely proud of what we were doing. The last check she wrote was to the PMC for my 2009 ride. This years training and ride will be very special for me. Each turn of the pedals are dedicated to her memory.


www.pmc.org/kr0006

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Fundraising Update - $41,243

June 23rd - Total Team PHAT Tuesday fundraising update: $41,243

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Elle's Final Treatment



Today our Pedal Partner, Elle, received her last chemo treatment. We thought Tuesday was her final treatment. Kevin, Marc, Scott & Tim went into the Jimmy Fund Clinic, but, Elle had already been there gone. She was told that they had to "stay on schedule" and administer the final round on Thursday. Unfortunately only Scott & Tim could make return trip.

Elle had already completed her treament and was playing in the play room with her sisters. We sat with Elle's mom and grandmother and chatted for 30-45 minutes.

Elle liked the stuff Wally the green monster Kevin had picked out. She was quite happy with it whan she pulled it out of the bag. We also gave her a PHAT Tuesday pin. That didn't get as much attention.

It was a nice day all around. Let's keep Elle in our thoughts!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Fundraising Update

Total Team PHAT Tuesday fundraising update: $36,268

Sunday, June 14, 2009

PHATs ride "Tim's Ride" - 55 miles


Saturday - June 13: A group of 11 or so riders enjoyed another picture perfect New England day for riding. Called "Tim's" ride because Tim scheduled this ride annually for about 12 years, calling it the "Get Acquainted ride". "Tim's ride" is just easier and we like easy.
Starting in Franklin at the High School, the ride travels 55 miles through.... Franklin, Medway, Holliston, Sherborn, Dover, Westwood, Walpole, Medfield, Norfolk and back to Franklin. (See map at bottom.)

The group was Tim, Fred, Maryellen, Marc, Donna K. , Kevin R., Andrea, Joel, Jamie, Tina & Shelley.

The group hit the road at 8am. We soon picked up Len, a rider from Franklin, out for a 25 mile ride. We didn't know Len, but invited him to join us... on our 55 mile ride. 30 miles into the ride in Dover, Len realize he was committed. The group made a stop at Maryellen brother in Westboro. We thought about quitting there on the patio next to the pool. Joel even took a plunge. But, after a longer than normal stop, we moved on.

This was a group ride. I.e. nobody gets dropped. We wait and regroup occasionally at turning points. We stick together as a team. Typical PHAT Tuesday. We support each other. It's how the PHATs do it. We finished as a group around 12:15pm

You can support PHAT Tuesday at www.pmc.org/tp0049

PS: As it turned out Franklin was holdings annual Relay For Life this day. Congratulations to all who participated in this great event!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Gray PHAT Ride

Gray Ride @ Dam

Gray PHAT Ride
Gray Ride @ Dam, originally uploaded by Team PHAT Tuesday PMC.

The weather was iffy at best. It wasn't raining, but it wasn't "not raining". Sort of heavy misting. About 15 intrepid riders showed up for this cold, raw, Tuesday evening ride.

As you can see from the picture, it was a lovely, late spring day here in New England ;-)

The PMC runs rain or shine, so I guess it doesn't make much sense to only train in perfect weather...

Marty

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Fund Raising Update

Total Team PHAT Tuesday fund raising update: $33,553.

King of the Quabbin ride

Sunday, June 7 - A group of PHATs & PHAT PHriends took on the King of the Quabbin metric century. A challenging ride in the area of the Quabbin Reservoir. Although you never see the reservoir on metric century loop. The ride is hosted by the 7 Hills Wheelmen.

It was fabulous day to ride. The weather could not have been better. Not too hot. Quite a bit of tree cover, so the sun was not over bearing. The ride starts with 2 mile decent then is relatively flat for another 8 miles. We averaged 19+ MPH for the first 10 miles. That quickly dropped when we hit the first hill. We stayed as a group throughout the ride. Stopping every so often to regroup. We did "loose" Joy or should I say she dropped us. Unfortunately she missed a turn but still finished the ride 15- 20 before the group. She was still smiling when we finished.

The ride turned out to be 60 miles, with an average speed of 15+ MPH and roughly 4,000 ft of climbing. (Maryellen smiled her way up every one of them. )

Have a good week.

Team PHAT Tuesday

www.pmc.org/tp0049

Thursday, June 4, 2009

PHAT Tuesday Night at Cole's Tavern

Join us for an evening of Jazz, Blues and 'Rock & Roll' featuring "HoneyMac"!

$10 donation at the door goes towards Team PHAT Tuesday's Fund Raising goal for the Pan Mass Challenge.

The Agenda for the evening:

  • A jazz/blues set around 8:30 to 9:30
  • Red Sox Raffle!
  • A dance / rock set from 10:00 to 12:00.

In between music sets we will be raffling off a pair of Red Sox tickets:

7/29/09, 7:05 PM Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics Right field box; Sec 8; Box 94; Row BB; Seats 11 & 12 Face Value $45 each.

1 chance for $10, 3 for $25.

Add this event to your calendar:

About HoneyMac

The band is called "HoneyMac". HoneyMac is a local band that perform a wide variety of jazz standards, blues, and pop music and have played venues such as, Fenway Park EMC Club, MIT Presidential Inauguration Gala, Boston Sheraton - Steppin' Out opening for Oleta Adams, Ryles and more. HoneyMac will be joined by special guest vocalist Ramsey Kurdi and guitarist Stefan Iris from the Walkin' Blues Band that is playing this summer at the New England Blues Festival.

About Cole's Tavern

Cole's TavernCole's Tavern combines a wide selection of beer, wine & spirits. Delicious food made-to-order. And a relaxed environment filled with great people and unique artifacts to create the perfect atmosphere for a one of a kind neighborhood Bar and Grill nestled off Washington Street in Franklin, MA. Our tavern features large HD screen plasma TVs, live entertainment, outdoor courtyard and large deck, bocce court and other outside games. We have something for everyone. Gather your friends and come see us for a memorable night of laughter, steaming food, and refreshing beverages.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

PHAT Tuesday Night at UNO's!

PHAT Tuesday Every Thursday @ Pizzera UNO's in June!

PHAT Tuesday on Thursday = Pizza & More!

Team PHAT Tuesday has partnered with the Pizzeria UNO Resturant in Bellingham, MA as part of UNO's "A Tasty Way to Raise Dough" community partnership program.

If you go to the Pizzeria UNO's in Bellingham, MA (think Home Depot...) on any Thursday in June (4/11/18/25) and present this coupon, Pizzeria UNO will donate up to 20% of the check to TEAM PHAT Tuesday. All of which will go towards the Pan Mass Challenge.

UNO Dough Rai$ers

http://www.unodoughraisers.com

Uno is proud to support the local communities it serves with our hugely popular Dough Rai$ers program. To date, we've donated more than $2.5 million to deserving organizations!

Here's the Scoop (or slice): Host a lunch, dinner or both at your local Uno and earn up to 20% of sales generated from guests who eat at Uno to support the cause.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Intro please...

With 2 months to go to this year's Pan Mass Challenge, we'd like to introduce you to our team a little more.

Team PHAT Tuesday is group of individuals with a hope that, in some small way, we can help find a cure for cancer by raising much needed funds for cancer research and treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston by way of the Pan Mass Challenge. The most successful athletic fund raising event in the country.

PHAT Tuesday is not just a group of cyclists who ride the Pan Mass Challenge. We are people who have lost loved ones to cancer. We are Cancer survivors. We are mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, sons & daughters. We are you! We are the pedal partner we "adopt" each year. (And never let go.)

If you have joined us here, YOU are PHAT. We hope you realize how special that is to US! We take great pride in representing YOU in the fight against cancer.

Our group started with 6 or 7 riders about 12 years ago. Meeting in Franklin to train for the PMC. We formally became "PHAT Tuesday" in 2001.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will introduce you to some of your teammates, fill you in on our training rides and keep you informed about PHAT Tuesday's fund raising effort.

We hope you enjoy our updates. Feel free to invite others to join our PHan club, post comments or just follow our journey.

You can also visit our PMC page at http://www.pmc.org/tp0049 or our home page at http://www.phattuesday.org

Welcome to our PHamily!

First Purgatory Ride of the Season

Saturday, 5-30-09 - A group of 9 headed out to Purgatory Chasm from Hopkinton Common. Perfect weather for a nice little climb. The name "Purgatory" scares some people off. We had a couple thinking that this was not within their realm of riding ability. They were proven wrong. All rode strong and all did well. One of the memorable moments for me came when Maryellen got to the top and said "hey wait, is that it? I thought we didn't get to the climb yet." Now for those of you reading this you should understand that this was after climbing for about gradual 5 miles. It's not that steep but it is steady and up.

We started in to the Chasm on our way to the ranger station to get some water and use the facilities when all of a sudden we heard the dreaded sound of a tire going flat. Bob's tube let go. Lucky it wasn't when we were descending out of there. No worries though, we pulled off the road along came "Bicycle Repairman"... (Marc) He had that tire changed in no time though he's not as quick as the original "Bicycle Repairman" - Joel. However this was a quality repair complete with a used GU wrapper to protect the tube from popping through the tire's slice. Hey Bob, don't forget to put the new tires on...

We regrouped at the ranger station and headed out. The return loop had some roads that were in poor shape. My GPS kept shutting off. I assume it's due to the bug in the Garmin related to the battery not being as securely seated as it needs to be. If that were the only problem it wouldn't have been bad. When we got back to the common took my iPhone out of my bike bag and discovered the glass was broken. Yes, it was in a hard case but there was nothing covering the glass unfortunately. I think the swiss army knife in the bag must have smashed down on it while riding on the bumpy roads. Oh well, nothing I can do about it now but warn those of you with similar phones to make sure they're protected if you plan on putting them in your bike bag while riding.

That's it for now. For the first Purgatory ride of the season I'm really proud of how well everyone did. Heck, the pace was on a par with some mid - late season Purgatory rides. The PHATs are on their way to some great conditioning.

Next up... The King's Tour of the Quabbin Reservoir ride...