Why I PMC - Jennifer Doboszynski

#WhyIPMC guest blog by Jennifer Doboszynski, 5-year Living Proof PMC & PMC Unpaved rider and volunteer

There are a few reasons I volunteer for PMC Unpaved.  First and foremost, I am a cancer survivor and I was treated at Dana-Farber.  The treatment I went through for my cancer was developed by Dana-Farber and I like to think funds from the PMC helped create that treatment.  By riding PMC or volunteering for PMC Unpaved, it allows me to give back so that others fighting cancer can have the same chance of survivorship as I did.  And it allows me to say thank you to riders who have raised so much money for Dana-Farber for cancer research.  I know many people who fought cancer with me and after me.  Many won their battle.  Some did not.  I honor them and myself by volunteering or riding.
PMC Unpaved takes place in the Berkshires, where I grew up and my parents still live there.  I love that the PMC finally reaches the Berkshires, so it truly covers Massachusetts.  I don't have the type of bike needed to ride the Unpaved ride, so volunteering makes sense, especially since it is my home turf!  It is also a nice way to celebrate my birthday as PMC Unpaved takes place within a week of my birthday.   What better way to celebrate another year around the sun than by spending it with my Dana-Farber/PMC family?  Because thanks to Dana-Farber, I AM able to celebrate another year around the sun. 
The first year I volunteered at PMC Unpaved, I worked the West Stockbridge water stop.  There were 3 of us that were breast cancer survivors.  I overheard one of them mention to the medical tent she was an RN at the local hospital so if they needed help, she could assist.  I made a comment to her that my Mom used to work at one the local hospitals.  She had worked at that same hospital and asked my Mom's name.  As soon as I gave my Mom's name, she was like, "You're Jennifer" without even seeing my name tag.  She knew who I was because she had worked with my Mom!  Small world?!   We now volunteer together, along with her daughter at the West Stockbridge water stop.  Once the ride begins I can be found on the road, cheering on riders and getting them to slow down getting into the water stop, with cow bell in hand!  I love cheering them on and offering high fives!
I hope cancer patients and families see the PMC riders and volunteers and that it gives them hope.  Hope for survivorship.  Hope for the future. Because everyone is working hard from raising money and cancer research to help fight cancer.