06/22/2026
Four years ago, my best friend Frannie was coming to the end of her fight with cancer. She never had a chance. The doctor told us it was over before we even knew it started. Frannie was tough and sweet. She didn’t complain, she just did what she always did. She did everything she could to take care of us before she left us, and after! She told me one night that I was young and I would meet people…. I told her I knew what she meant, but right now the focus of my life is you. Two days later she took her last breath at sunrise. She left behind a legacy of love. She is the topic of many memories, wonderful stories, and often sneaky little tears that come from who knows where.
I did what she said, and I met a wonderful woman Lisa Jordan Ahronian, who accepted that I had a broken heart that would have to be shared with Frannie and the 39 years of love and wonderful memories, we had together. I struggle sometimes with how lucky I am and how happy I am. Those two emotions are hard to reconcile with how profoundly sad I can get.
Since we met, Lisa has fully supported my Pan Mass Challenge rides. She pushes me to train harder. Lisa joined Colleen as my pit crew for the PMC. Together they follow me from rest stop to rest stop. They make sure I drink and eat enough to keep pedaling. They are moral and physical support for the PMC and every other day too.
I ride the PMC in memory of Frannie! I ride the PMC hoping to prevent others from going through what we have gone through as a family, as a village. I ride the PMC in hope of a cure for cancer.
Since Frannie left us on June 24th, 2022, we have lost more family and friends to cancer. Currently I have two dear friends going through cancer treatments. I think of their battles every day. I pray for them every day.
On August 1st, I will put my heart and soul into the Pan Mass Challenge! Please help me again this year. You, MY Village, have donated $43,330. The minimum I must raise for the ride is $6000. Each year you have donated enough to my ride for me to reach heavy hitter status. I am forever grateful to you all for your donations and tremendous emotional support.
You can donate at PMC.org to Rider JT0358
