I have said many many times that to me it's not summer if I haven't set foot on the Cape. It's now been two years in a row that my giant Heller foot hasn't made that step, so I'm beyond excited that we'll be able to breathe in that sweet salty air, eat some delicious fried seafood, play some cards, drink some (many?) G&Ts or Cape Codders or vino (depending on who's pouring), and generally engage in various occasions of relaxation, silliness, and excessive time in the sun with our amazing Heller family! I literally cannot wait for August!
And of course, important to note, the Annual Heller Cape Cod Takeover kicks off with the emotional and incredible Pan Mass Challenge, a two-day bike ride across most of Massachusetts raising critical research dollars for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. For many years now, my family has participated in any and every way possible, even going so far as to declare ourselves a bicycling club: Hellers on Wheels. This year my father, Eric, my brother, Adi, and my cousin, Nathaniel, will ride, while numerous Hellers (and Hellers with other last names!) will volunteer for the event. While we won't make it in time to reclaim our places on the volunteer roster, we will be loud and proud, cheering on the riders tackling the dunes at the end of the Cape as they make their way on Day 2 into Provincetown to cross the finish line. Of course, this event's over- and undertones give us all pause to reflect on the numerous ways in which cancer has touched our lives. We ride/volunteer/support/cheer in honor and in memory of those we love and lost, of those we love and encourage, and of those we love and celebrate. If you'd like to support our family's fundraising efforts, you can click here to visit my brother's PMC fundraising page. Every little bit helps. As my dad's fundraising letter often remarks, there are lots of simple cures for the sore muscles, aches and pains that come from riding a bike for 200 miles. Through your support, someday there will also be cures for all cancers. GO PMC!
(all photos my own; Nathaniel, I apologize that I don't have a group shot to include - I'll take care of that on the hill this year!)
1 comment:
You da best! Can't wait to share the first batch of scallops and onion rings with you and Dave on Sunday afternoon at M.D.'s deep fried emporium! Go Hellers on Wheels!
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