After my first PMC ride in 2023, I’m back to finish what I started for my second year of riding with the Boston Bruins Foundation and my dad for all those in our memories.
As a similar story to many, my whole life I have known about the prominence of cancer within my family and the loved ones who surround me. My ride is to honor those this world has lost to this terrible disease, including my strongest family members. From my Grampy and Grammy (my dad's parents), Michael Torla with his long fight against esophageal and liver cancer, watching my Grandfather become unrecognizable throughout my life and watching him fight for as long as I can remember, which eventually led to the end of his battle on June 1st of 2021, and Katherine Torla with her on and off fight against Bladder and Kidney cancer starting in late 2021, watching the strongest Katherine fight for many years, my grammy was a pillar of strength. After her long battle, Katherine Torla passed on October 1st, 2024. Also, my aunt's father Tom McLaughlin, who we sadly lost to his long and tough battle with leukemia in November of 2022. Then in 2023, my Grandpa (My mom's father) fought a very aggressive form of Leukemia, his short battle left our family with the remembrance of such an important man gone way too soon. As well as Tommy Verrengia, A man I'm proud to call coach, who has shown me (and everyone he leaves an impact on) how to truly fight and persevere. His fight against prostate cancer has not differed him from continuing to show up for the Conard girl's basketball team for years, supporting the girls, and giving his all to the team.
This year I will be riding the PMC in support of all those I have lost and will continue to honor through their fight with cancer. All donations will be donated to the Dana Farber Institute and put towards cancer research for the future. All in memory of my grandparents who live in our hearts and showed me how to fight. In love and support for Robert Coco, Michael Torla, Tom McLaughlin, Katherine Torla, and Tommy Verrengia.
Thank you so much.
