Incredible Team Milestone Reached: $2 million

PMC Team Forza-G…10 Years, $2 Million – and so much more.

A little after 10:30 this morning a donation hit our PMC Team account that put our 10-year team fundraising total over $2 million. In the flurry of activity of tracking fundraising updates and waiting/watching for the number to tick past this major milestone, it took a few minutes to figure out who was behind this very special donation. I am very happy to announce that our own Forza-G teammate, Suzanne Merritt, put us over the top!

In cycling terms, the final, frantic push to the $2 million mark felt like an all out sprint to the finish – and it is only fitting that Suzanne led all of us across that line – she is inspiration, motivation and Living Proof.

I’m happy to break out the virtual confetti and balloons to mark this milestone, but I’m REALLY looking forward to celebrating with Suzanne and all of my teammates the best way we know how – riding together on PMC Weekend!

Cheers Suzanne and thank you for being you!

The Captain – Matt

What was that? It was us blowing past $250k raised

Somewhere back in the cold and dark of winter (I think it was June) I set an unofficial Team Forza-G goal of $250,000 and 50 platelet donations for the year. I’m happy, proud and a bit overwhelmed to announce that we have officially passed both of those goals – $250,587 in the bank with the PMC and 50+ platelet donations at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center by Forza-G riders, friends and family. Blood, Sweat & Tears – Whatever it Takes!

Thank you to all on the Team and to all of our friends, families and supporters who have made this possible!

– Matt

[Editor’s Update: as of 10/1/11, the team has raised a grand total of $266,027. Since 2007, Team Forza-G has raised $872,851 for the Pan Mass Challenge and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The Power of A Team

While 2011 marks the 6^th year of Forza-G being an “official” PMC team, our roots go back 11 years to 2001. That year I rode my 1st PMC in memory of my friend, Joe Giovinazzo, who lost his battle with T-Cell Lymphoma in 2000. Other friends and I always called Joe simply “Joe G”. When it came time to put a name to the Team, I came up with “G-Force” and went with the Italian Forza-G in honor of Joe’s Italian heritage. Each Forza-G rider comes to the PMC with our own very personal reasons for riding – the loss of a family member or a friend, a personal struggle with cancer, the hope that we can make a difference. While it may be one incident or one person in our lives that pushes us to join the cause, the unfortunate truth is that we are regularly hit with more reasons to ride. The very good and positive news is that we are seeing real progress in the search for cures. It is especially touching to hear that a diagnosis that would have given little hope of survival even five or ten years ago may now be successfully treated through work done at the Dana-Farber, with funds raised by PMC riders-funds donated by individuals like you. This year’s Forza-G PMC squad of riders is now over 40 strong. Add to that the dozens of friends and family members and hundreds of individual supporters who give their time, money and positive energy and we’re talking about a very strong force.

Eleven years down the road and for the 3rd year, Forza-G will be riding in support of our Pedal Partner, Mason Giove, and his family. Mason is currently being treated at Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic. Over the years our Team has grown through a seemingly random set of events. I can’t help think that there may be something more to it -Team Forza-G riding for young “Mason G”. One last thought -when I first met Mason’s dad, Mark, he told me he would do anything to be able to change the circumstances for our meeting…to take away Mason’s cancer. At the same time, he said he wouldn’t want to change meeting all of the incredible doctors, nurses and others he has met along the way. I know what Mark means- I would do anything to change the circumstances that started me on this path, but I wouldn’t want to miss out on the incredible love and friendships -and experiencing the goodness in so many people along this road.

If you’d like to donate to our Forza-G team account, you can click on the e-Gift tab and use our Team account Number “TF0086”. You can also donate to an individual rider by using their e-Gift ID number. To find out more about Team Forza-G and/or how you can get more involved, please email me at forza-g@comcast.net. You can also join our Forza-G group on Facebook.

Thank you again for your support!

Matt Dillis (team founder)

The Power of a Team

While 2010 marks the 5^th year of Forza-G being an “official” PMC team, our roots go back 10 years to 2001. That year I rode my 1st PMC in memory of my friend, Joe Giovinazzo, who lost his battle with T-Cell Lymphoma in 2000. Other friends and I always called Joe simply “Joe G”. When it came time to put a name to the Team, I came up with “G-Force” and went with the Italian Forza-G in honor of Joe’s Italian heritage. Each Forza-G rider comes to the PMC with our own very personal reasons for riding – the loss of a family member or a friend, a personal struggle with cancer, the hope that we can make a difference. While it may be one incident or one person in our lives that pushes us to join the cause, the unfortunate truth is that we are regularly hit with more reasons to ride. The very good and positive news is that we are seeing real progress in the search for cures. It is especially touching to hear that a diagnosis that would have given little hope of survival even five or ten years ago may now be successfully treated through work done at the Dana-Farber, with funds raised by PMC riders-funds donated by individuals like you. This year’s Forza-G PMC squad of riders is 32 strong. Add to that the dozens of friends and family members and hundreds of individual supporters who give their time, money and positive energy and we’re talking about a very strong force.

Ten years down the road and for the 2^nd year, Forza-G will be riding in support of our Pedal Partner, Mason Giove, and his family. Mason is currently being treated at Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic. Over the years our Team has grown through a seemingly random set of events. I can’t help think that there may be something more to it -TeamForza-G riding for young “Mason G”. One last thought -when I first met Mason’s dad, Mark, he told me he would do anything to be able to change the circumstances for our meeting…to take away Mason’s cancer. At the same time, he said he wouldn’t want to change meeting all of the incredible doctors, nurses and others he has met along the way. I know what Mark means- I would do anything to change the circumstances that started me on this path, but I wouldn’t want to miss out on the incredible love and friendships -and experiencing the goodness in so many people along this road.

If you’d like to donate to our Forza-G team account, you can click on the e-Gift tab and use our Team account Number “TF0086”. You can also donate to an individual rider by using their e-Gift ID number. To find out more about Team Forza-G and/or how you can get more involved, please email me at forza-g@comcast.net. You can also join our Forza-G group on Facebook.

Thank you again for your support!

Matt Dillis, Team Captain

The Love of the Bike…

On the road in New Jersey for work this week (FYI…my “real” job has nothing to do with cycling).  Yesterday morning I was inspecting what you might call a bit of a rough apartment property in a bit of a rough city in northern NJ.  Harvey, the property’s maintenance man was giving me the tour – from the rooftop, down through the basement – past the noisy boiler room, past the trash room he has to clean out every few hours of every day…and past his “office”, a dimly-lit room off to one side – nothing special…except for something hanging up on one wall that catches my eye – an old-school Cannondale, downtube shifters, simple/clean lines, sparkling clean bike – with LOOK pedals.  Harvey sees that it catches my attention – it’s his “baby”…his pride and joy – “you won’t believe how light it is – all aluminum” he says…not at all where I’d expect to meet another cyclist – said all we needed to say about the building – we talked about how we both just liked to get out and ride…wherever – whenever we can…

Last night after work I drove into Brooklyn to introduce myself to Phil at R&A Cycles and drop off some Magnus Maximus Coffee.  If you’ve never been, you should go – imagine just about every make and model of just about every bike you might ever want…dozens of frames and forks hanging from the ceiling (way more than “kid in a candy store”, the feeling was more “Charlie in the Chocolate Factory”).  Talked bikes and coffee with Phil – a great guy who knows, loves, lives bikes.

One day – two completely opposite ends of the cycling spectrum…reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend last summer about cycling – doesn’t matter how good or fast you are – as long as you’re having fun.   “

Looking Forward to 2010!

Team FORZA-G is back for 2010 and looking forward to a great season of riding – and fundraising.  Thanks to all who helped us to raise over $160,000 for cancer care and research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC).  Overall the PMC raised over $30 million last year alone – bringing the 30-year contribution of the PMC to $270 million.  As of today Team FORZA-G has a squad of 20 riders booked for this year’s PMC.  That doesn’t include returning PMC veteran…and Paris-Roubaix winner, Tour de France stage winner, Swedish National Champion – and most of all all-around great guy, Magnus Backstedt.

Watch for more details & updates coming soon!