Cougars Fighting Cancer

The Prouty, Pan-Mass, and Leadville 100

The Cardigan community has a longstanding relationship with The Prouty and captains Alex Gray H’12, P’14,’16 and Joe Burnett ’95, P’25 invite you to join our team! Even if you aren’t able to ride this year, please join us in Hanover on Saturday, July 9 to cheer on Cardigan students, faculty, alumni, and friends who are raising money to eradicate the disease. 

Off-campus, alumni and former faculty who aren’t as close to Hanover are leading the charge elsewhere. 

Former School Leader Adam Philie ’10 and his father Ned Philie P’06,’10,’16,’17 are riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge on August 6 and 7. On why he rides, Adam writes: 

“My mother and father are both skin cancer survivors. When I was a young boy, I can remember sitting in my den and my parents telling me that my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Under a year ago, I remember my father calling me to tell me his diagnosis. Both of these moments could have changed my life forever, but thanks to incredible medical care, our story has a positive ending.

In 2022, my father and I are riding to support incredible medical treatment. We are riding and fundraising together to help other families realize the luck, grace and incredible care that we were given.”

In Vail, Colorado former faculty member Mike Fitzgerald is riding in the First Descents Leadville 100 MTB race in Vail, CO. 

Mike shares the reason he’s riding:

“While visiting a college friend Vail, CO last summer, I found myself inspired by two foundational pieces of his life: First Descents (a national leader in providing life changing outdoor adventures for young adults (age 18-39) impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions) and the The Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race.  

When I was first asked to join this team, I thought they were joking. I love a challenge but the truth is that the Leadville race is beyond anything I have ever attempted before. As a 53 year old amateur, I had real doubts that I could ride a mountain bike for 104 miles and 12,000 feet of climbing (at elevations above 10,000 feet) in less than 12 hours. But then I began to think of my parents declining health and other family members and friends that have courageously battled cancer and I began to believe in my abilities to push myself beyond my limits. I also thought of the kids I have trained for the past 18 years. As their mountain bike coach, I always encourage them to confront their self doubts, their fears, and to believe they can overcome them. Now it is my turn to do the same.”

Go Cougars!