DesFosses, Grateful Cancer Patient, Gives Back Via Bike-a-Thon

In 2003, Peabody resident Tom DesFosses and his wife Judy were touring around the country in their 36-foot Winnebago after Tom had retired from 41 years at the General Electric plant in Lynn.

But then they began to notice Tom having anomalies in his health -- slurred speech and behavioral changes. He visited doctors in a few states in the southwestern U.S., where they were traveling at the time. The various diagnoses, however, did not feel right somehow. Finally, Judy convinced him to get checked out at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center back in Boston.

After an MRI, doctors found a malignant brain tumor.

“As to my cancer and what it means to me: that is a tough one. I never asked, ‘Why me?’ because it was me...so then you deal with it," Tom says. "It's not fun being sick after every treatment for three years, but very early on, you have to decide that you are going to fight it every inch of the way. For this you need a supportive family, friends and faith in some thing or person being greater than yourself.”

“Am I a better person? Most likely, yes. I feel blessed to have made the friends I have made because of having cancer. I am giving back to help future cancer patients in many ways and that is a great feeling,” he said.

“Giving back” is an understatement in Tom's case.

“I was diagnosed with Primary CNS Lymphoma in 2004. In 2007, I felt fit enough to ride 750 plus miles through the six New England states for cancer research,” he said, not mentioning that this ride -- amazing enough as a sign of physical recovery -- also raised $15,000.

It was a sizeable way to say thanks to Beth Israel, and Tom was just getting warmed up.

Then, in 2008, says Tom, “I started this ride to raise money for Dr. Eric Wong and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s…cancer research programs. Dr. Wong is now a close friend, I believe he saved my life.”

A Reason to Ride raised $20,000 in its first year. It has since gone on to raise $160,000 for the hospital.

“Very important is that this…is a grass roots effort with 100 percent of funds raised going directly to cancer research at BIDMC,” he added.

This year’s goal was to raise an additional $110,000, and so far, they're nearly halfway there at $50,827.

As for Tom? “I was a road cyclist, enjoying longer rides…and am still enjoying riding. I try to get 60 plus miles a week,” he said, before adding, “Not lately though. Getting ready for A Reason to Ride is a full time job for my wife and myself, plus Bob Barry, a close friend who is as responsible for the success of this ride as my wife and I.”

Visit www.gratefulnation.org/areasontoride to get more info on specifics of the ride and other family-friendly events taking place around it or donate to the effort.

The ride starts at the in Danvers on Sept. 18 and from 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., bikers will pedal along a 10-, 25- or 50-mile route through Danvers, Beverly, Wenham, Ipswich, Essex, Gloucester and Topsfield.

There will also be a trike-a-thon for kids on Sunday, a Fuddruckers cookout at the finish line, raffles, music, a car show and more. Registration for riders is $25 per child, $60 per adult and $150 per family.