Fighting cancer: 'We dont cry, we ride bikes'

By Josh Faiola
Posted 7/20/17

By JOSH FAIOLA -- In times of extreme difficulty, people look to their friends and family to lean on. However, a difficult time will not stop the family of Erin Taylor, Alison Fracassa, Kim Hooper and Megan Higgins from standing strong.

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Fighting cancer: 'We dont cry, we ride bikes'

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In times of extreme difficulty, people look to their friends and family to lean on. However, a difficult time will not stop the family of Erin Taylor, Alison Fracassa, Kim Hooper and Megan Higgins from standing strong and participating in the 38th annual Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) on August 5 and 6

The Pan-Mass challenge raises money for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon across the state of Massachusetts. Last year, PMC raised $47 million in fundraising, bringing their grand total since starting in 1980 to $547 million.

Warwick resident Erin Taylor, her sister-in-law Alison Fracassa and cousins Kim Hooper and Megan Higgins form team “We Will.” The two-day ride is starting in Wellesley Mass. and ending in Provincetown for 170 miles. Having a personal connection to the disease, “We Will” is looking to spread awareness on their way to the PMC.

On May 13, 2016 Fracassa, who lives a healthy lifestyle and is an avid runner, competing in events such as BoldrDash and the Blessing of the Fleet, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Optimistic about the diagnosis, Fracassa said, “It was the worst thing, and the best thing” to happen to her. “I like to believe I have always had an appreciation for my friends and family, only now, it has intensified all the more.”

For Taylor, this will be her first long-distance bike ride. She said going to PMC was a spur of the moment decision.

“Doing the Pan-Mass challenge was a quick decision we made while Ali and I were at Dana Farber for her treatment. We saw a sign and I thought it would be a great way to focus on something athletic that we could do long term and while we are at it to raise money and awareness for research in colon cancer.” Taylor said she wants to use the race as a sort of inspiration. “If you can conquer the bike race, you can conquer anything,” she said.

Taylor regularly attends spin classes at Edge Fitness and she names Natalina Earls, trainer and owner of Edge Fitness, as another source of inspiration. Taylor said Earls also helped promote their ride and helped fundraise at Edge.

“I am most thankful to share this ride and training with my family, and thankful for Natalina Earls and the women at Edge Fitness for keeping me on track and motivated.”

“To try and make a positive difference within the world we live is an important goal, and riding the PMC is an opportunity to surround ourselves with team We Will’s goal.”

Kim Hooper, who according to Taylor is the “team’s coach,” has been on similar rides before, taking part in the MS150.

“It’s nice to know that 100 percent is going to what you’re working towards,” she said. “I don’t know if we can change the medical community, but they do need to start becoming more aware. I think to ride 170 miles is a great way to do that.”

Megan Higgins will be making the trip from Portland, Oregon and was unable to be interviewed. On her Pan-Mass profile, she had this to say about Fracassa: “Ali is a warrior. With an inspiring attitude that she exudes daily, Ali gives us hope that she can beat this disease! Because of Ali, I no longer take things for granted and, like her, deeply appreciate the relationships that I have with friends and family.

Determined to help the cause, Taylor’s daughter, Caroline, her niece Stelle Jackson and their friend Maddie will be taking part in the 22-mile course on August 6 as a “teen version” of team “We Will.”

Each member of the team must commit to at least $4,800 in order to participate. Team “We Will” has collectively raised about $75,000. Fracassa alone has raised $49,156 and is still currently rising. Team We Will acknowledges the band Those Guys NPT, who held a charity event on April 1, complete with live music and raffles at The Dockside in Newport: helping Fracassa raise her first $4,800 in 24 hours. Donations are still open until October 1.

According to Fracassa, the race brings normalcy to her life.

“It’s a new normal, you try to make the tricky days run as normal as possible.” She said this experience was almost like that of a wedding, always being surrounded by her loved ones. She said this experience advocates, “don’t sweat the small stuff.” Team We Will will be going to the Pan-Mass Challenge on August 4 for the opening ceremony.

Fundraising and preparing for the race has kept these women busy for so long, when asked what was next for them, they had thoughts of doing different charity events such as a surf-a-thon or color run. Fracassa’s donation page can be found at profile.pmc.org/AF0178.

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