The 30th annual Pan Mass Challenge starts Saturday morning at 7 am.

And not a moment too soon.

Connecticut senator Chris Dodd announced this week that he has prostate cancer. I just found out that a good friend and neighbor is battling lymphoma. The head of my PMC riding team starts radiation therapy in a couple of weeks for a brain tumor. A loved one is waiting for the results of a biopsy.

While I can't make their cancers go away, I can ride my bike 190 miles to raise money for the Jimmy Fund and cancer research.

In the first five miles of my ride on Saturday, I will stop to hug the widow of a riding buddy lost to cancer. I don't know how I will be able to get back on my bike and leave her. I also know that it is the only thing for me to do.

With your help, we will raise $30 million this year and donate 100% to the Jimmy Fund.

My bike is ready. My saddle bag is packed. My riding gear is laid out, a uniform to be worn into battle with 5,000 other cyclists, all riding to help cure cancer.

More than a few of the people on my mailing list have lost loved ones to cancer. More than a few have had a brush with cancer themselves. I ride for you and I ride for those who are battling cancer now.

If you have already donated, thank you for your support. Every dollar is appreciated. I'm just over 20% of the way to my goal of raising $10,000 this year and with your help I may just make it.

If you have not yet donated to the Pan Mass Challenge this year, please do so now. We're all fighting this battle together, one way or another.

To donate please visit http://www.pmc.org/profile/LL0033

Time to ride,

Lee