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Jen’s PMC profile page: http://www.pmc.org/profile/JT0130
My name is Jen Taylor. I’m 30 years old and live in Jamaica Plain with my boyfriend, teammate, and the person who nominated me, Matt McCloskey. I’m riding in my fifth PMC this year!
Since 2005, my donors have raised over $20,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. In 2005, I was working at a law firm when a good friend and colleague’s college-age brother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. While he was undergoing treatment at Dana-Farber, another friend (and now teammate) Candace learned that our firm actually had a team planning to ride in the PMC. I had no idea what the PMC was, and hadn’t ridden a bike since I was a kid. But we knew the money raised by the PMC would help support Dana-Farber, and thus, help our friend’s brother. We signed up for the 1-day event, went out and bought bikes and gear, and learned to ride. We successfully, if extremely slowly, finished that first PMC, despite a few injuries and mishaps during training. The following year, we signed up for the 2-day Sturbridge to Provincetown route and we’ve been riding every summer since.
In that time, more friends and family members have been diagnosed with cancer. In 2008, my friend Sara was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of ovarian cancer. She was only 22 at the time. After having surgery to remove the tumor and tolerating long months of chemo and radiation, she was declared cancer-free! Although she was treated at MGH, it is the research done by places like Dana-Farber that help lead to life-saving treatments. Matt and I were so impressed with the way she fought and the humor she showed throughout her treatment that we decided to form our own team in her honor, Team Sara G. You can follow us online at http://mattandjenpmc.wordpress.com.
I’m not the best cyclist out there. I am still, after 5 years, terrified of steep descents. I’m not very fast, though I have gotten faster. It still takes me all day to do the Sturbridge to Bourne portion of the PMC, because I dawdle at the rest stops. I’m lucky that my family and friends are willing to support my fundraising efforts, because without them, I couldn’t ride in the PMC. And I think the PMC really is important. Not only because it raises so much money for the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber, but also because it shows cancer survivors and the families of those who haven’t survived that we’re trying, and that we’re thinking about them.
So thank you, Boloco, and all the people who “liked” my nomination, for supporting the PMC!
Keep up the effort Jen!
Thanks Cooky! And everyone who has voted so far!
Dugout?
JEN TAYLOR!
JEN TAYLOR!
JEN TAYLOR!
JEN TAYLOR!
JEN TAYLOR!
JEN-TAY-LOR!
JEN-TAY-LOR!
you are my hero!!
Whoo Jen Taylor! I’m glad she rides, because I know I wouldn’t be able to do what she does!
What everyone else said! WOOOO JEN!! The cat is trying to type her support into the keyboard right now. Boloco, there’s another vote! She may not have thumbs or Facebook but my cat supports Jen Taylor FTW!
Awesome, Jen. Mom forwarded me this. Good luck. Maryellen Aland
What an awesome ride! My previous company sponsored the Wellfleet waterstop, so from 93-99 I participated in that way. I am happy your mom sent me this. I have another good friend & former co-worker who is also riding. It makes a huge difference. Thanks for making a difference. Jenn Sweeney (Plymouth Fitness/Personal Trainer)
Jen, Great cause for which to pedal. Keep those wheels spinning and outride those dogs!
Go JT!
I endorse this candidate, and anything burrito-related in general.
I support this candidate, along with anything else burrito related.
Go Jen! What a great thing you are doing. I’ll spread the word to build up support for you
Very proud of you Jen!!! Good luck in the race. Very good cause that you are riding for!
good luck !!
What a great cause and thanks for participating!
BEST OF LUCK!!!!
Thanks everyone! I love seeing all of my mom’s friends and my SHHS friends on here. Anything that gets to word out about the PMC is wonderful. If anyone wants to know more about the ride or volunteering (Jenn S. – the waterstop volunteers are amazing!) or anything like that, you can head to http://www.pmc.org.
Jen, What a wonderful cause! I’m proud of your effort!
Great Cause!!!!