What I really want...

Is a cure for cancer.
What I can do to get there is ride my bicycle.

#panmasschallenge

Ten hour days

Long days. But very polite interactions. It's amazing. I've had the opportunity to interact with hundreds if not thousands of lovely drivers and dispatchers over the past almost 3 years.

And when we are at a rest area on a road trip as I gaze over at the truck area I wonder if I know any of the drivers. One of these times I'll go over and say I'm Patty from Saxon Transport...

Still Alive

The Rosemary thrives on neglect. Dry roots and damp leaves. I really want to succeed with this plant. I'm having a tough time neglecting it.

I Do.

All You Need Is..

LOVE

How about a cup of coffee?

Please help us reach our $46 Million Goal!

Dear family and friends,

First of all, thank you for all your love, and support over the past five years that I have ridden in the Boston Brain Tumor Ride. For all five years, with your generous support, I have more than reached by donation goal of $500.  This year, I have upped my participation and commitment to finding a cure of cancer. I have joined the planning committee of the Boston Brain Tumor Ride, will ride the 40 mile route and have paid my entrance for this event. Why?

Because last week, I committed to raising money for cancer research by riding in the 2016 Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC). On the first weekend in August, I will join 6,200 cyclists in the PMC ride, an annual bike-a-thon that raises money for research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston.

I hope I can count on your support

The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country, $500 million since 1980 and $45 million last year alone! This success is the result of a lot of people riding for, and caring about, a cure. And because every penny matters, 100 percent of your donation goes to DFCI.

I've made a personal commitment to ride and raise $4,500. I hope you can help me achieve this significant goal.

Please donate to my PMC ride using the following link:
All I ask is, can you spare the price of a cup of coffee? Of course, a Starbuck's venti flat white costing $5. :-)

Click here to make a donation of any amount. And I will match your donation dollar for dollar. Additionally, whether you make a donation or not, send me the name of your cancer survivor, or valiant fighter, and I will write their name on my bike frame.   Each pedal stroke in prayer, for them, always. As I train and during the ride.

Click here to support me with a gift from your Fidelity Donor Advised Fund
If you prefer to write a check, please make it out to the PMC, The Jimmy Fund or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and private message me for my address


Please ask your Human Resources department if they have a matching gift program and follow their process for a matching donation. Your donation is tax deductible and 100% will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. To learn more about the Pan-Mass Challenge, please visit www.pmc.org.

Every donation brings us closer by the mile. On behalf of the staff and patients at DFCI, cancer patients around the world for whom Dana-Farber research is lifesaving, and all our collective aspirations for a world without cancer, thank you.
Why do I do this?

Simply as Mother Theresa answered the dying man who asked her why are you helping me? I ride because I love you.

Patty Hebert

Living and Learning

I received a beautiful Rosemary bush as a gift. It died under my care. Crushed, I replaced it with this lesser version. It was all I could find. Read about its care, and so far five days, it still lives. Imagine feeling responsible to a plant.

People Ask Why

My answer: Because I can. Because I know I must. By doing something as so simple as riding a bike I can bring awareness to the pillage of cancer. But who hasn't heard of cancer? Whose life hasn't been touched by it? How can we ignore it?

I can't. It's hit home too many times. Leola Paul Carl Jeanne Joe Elizabeth Jared Perry David Jeanne Paul Ray Ed Diane Kristen Angela Debbie

http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134

Because I love them.

#panmasschallenge #bostonbraintumorride

When determination turns 15 to 47.

Long day at work. Home. Dinner. Then out to the trainer. Tired. Go for 15 Patty. Just do it. Earbuds in but no music. Just quiet. Go for 20. The training mind games begin. Coast to 25 minutes. Then decide to ride for at least 10 miles. Soon you are pedaling past 45 minutes, over 11 miles, and it's been a workout.

The hardest part is getting out there.

#Pan Mass Challenge.

Pan Mass Challenge

Here is the deal, for the rest of the month of January, as a kickoff for fundraising, I'll personally match donations up to $4500. Additionally, whether you can donate or not, send me the name of your cancer survivor or fighter and I will write their name on the bike frame.  

http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134

What's the significance of the photo? The bike I will ride is a friend's old bike, a new bike to me. Her sister passed away recently from complications from cancer treatment.   The frame colors match those representing the PMC.  

Because I Love You

Those were Mother Theresa's words to a dying man when he asked her why she was helping him.  Those are my words as to why I am taking on the Pan Mass Challenge 2 day ride.  Sturbridge MA to Provincetown MA. Won't you support me?
http://profile.pmc.org/PH0134

Send me the name of your survivor, fighter... I will write their name on my bike frame.  I ride for them. Because I love them.  

Shhh... I'm still in bed

It's almost 8. Everyday I'm up before 5:30. This morning I wasn't. Planned to sleep in. Laze about relaxing. Then first true action to ride the bike. Slowly. Playfully. Prayfully. Yesterday was my friend, Paul's birthday. He passed away recently after a huge battle with cancer.

PMC I ride for Paul.

The picture: Tools of the trade from work yesterday. Load sheet. Eraser. White Out. Inhaler. Pick up slips. It was a good day.

If I rolled over right now...

I wonder how much longer I would sleep.

I'm On Call

Life is very interesting. Work too. Boss is trying to have a vacation. I offered to take the night time calls. I'd handle it and if I couldn't, if I needed him, I would get in touch. Yesterday I got home and never got my coat off. My cell phone and house phone ringing off the hook. Crazy. Handled. Truly I don't know how the boss has done it for 15 years. It's a big step for me to take on and for the boss to let go.

What emoji do you use the most?

Mine is the heart ❤️.

Have a Magical Day
Patty

Cancer fighters don't rest

Pan Mass Challenge new riders sign up starts tomorrow at 9 AM. Some one will be starting their first chemo or radiation treatment. Some one else will be finishing their last.

Painful Trials and Training

It's late. Can I truly be focused on a charity ride that is 7 months away? It's cold. Bundled, pedaling out in the garage. The outside temperature is 31, the inside temperature the same, maybe cooler. The Garmin light is the only illumination. Eyes closed I think of cancer fighters and how easy pedaling is compared to their uphill battles. Some they win. Many they don't. Will I make it Sturbridge to Provincetown? Of no consequence when compared to a fighters questions: Will this treatment cure me? Will I survive?

Small potatoes Patty, keep pedaling.

Love, it's in there.

The there being life.

But I'm not fast.

Yes, but I'm faster than sitting on the couch. Pan Mass Challenge 2016. 198 miles. Honored to be part of Team Kermit.

And we are back

Vacation is over. We are back to the best 10 minutes of the day; dropping the girls off at school. Where the conversation can vary from pick up times to boyfriends. I will miss these times.

January 3, 1016

6:30 AM. Sun rising. Day before me.