Teammate Profile - Donna Kleinman

Why I do the PMC...

In 1992 my husband, Sam, of 11 years was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. We had been married 11 years and were raising our 5 year old son Jason. Sam had lost his first wife to cancer many years earlier, so he knew all too well what was in store for him. Despite a not so good prognosis, Sam opted for the all the treatments, surgery was not an option, so chemo and radiation began. We spent the next 3 years trying to live a normal life.

Sam was in and out of the hospital over the duration, had many times when he was well enough to carry on, be a husband and father. We continued to travel, spend time with friends and family and he continued to work when he could, but as the years went by those days become fewer and fewer and eventually the cancer spread and the prognosis was not good. He was in a lot of pain, but never spoke about it. Jason and he would watch football together and that is probably my son’s best memory.

I will never forget Sam and the many wonderful memories and life we lived. I am so grateful for those years even though they were fewer than what should have been. My son Jason reminds me a lot of Sam and in many ways he lives on in Jason.

On August 23, 1995 Sam lost his fight. Crossing the finish line in Provincetown is my ongoing tribute to Sam, and all those who are faced with this diagnosis. My hope is that my son and many others will never lose another loved one to cancer and be spared the pain and sadness that he once did as a little boy.

I continue to ride in his memory but in addition I now ride for all those I know who have survived…my friend s Renee, Anne, Pam …and the fact that the circle called “LIVING PROOF” grows larger every year.

This August, I will be riding my 9th Pan-Mass Challenge.

Donna (Marie Rose) Kleinman

You can support Donna at www.pmc.org/dk0056

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