August 7, 2006
Clinic coordinator pedals for teens
Lisa Scherber (second from left) and Jimmy Fund Clinic patients take the mound at City of Palms Park during the 2005 Spring Training trip.
Most people go out to dinner on their birthday or blow out candles and eat cake, but for Lisa Scherber, activities coordinator for the Jimmy Fund Clinic, her special day last December was reason to sign up for the 192-mile ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown as part of the 27th annual Pan Massachusetts Challenge bike-a-thon held this past weekend.
Scherber, a Dana-Farber employee since 1992, participated in the race 11 years ago and always knew she'd do it again. Her motivation this year was turning 40 and supporting the numerous teenagers she works with everyday.
"Training has been a form of therapy," she says. "It gives me time to think about the kids that have touched my life. Riding also helps me process the happy and the sad so I don't bring my work home, and I'm ready for the next day." She adds, "I don't like to exercise, but I love when I have to do it to meet a goal."
The teens have provided her with a worthwhile target to reach – raising $10,000 for the Jimmy Fund Clinic's annual spring trip. The clinic sponsors the weekend every year for its young patients to see the Red Sox play at an away game or during spring training. Song Airlines financed the clinic's transportation for the past two years, but after its merger with Delta Airlines in April, funding became scarce and the clinic had to cancel the trip for the first time.
"Support for cancer research is desperately needed now," explains Scherber, "but while we wait for new treatments, we need something to make these kids' lives more fun. There are a number of patients who could have gone on the trip this year that may not be here for the next one. I don't want anyone to miss that chance again."
For many Jimmy Fund Clinic teenagers, dealing with changing bodies and emotions is difficult enough; being treated for cancer and losing their hair during a time when they typically develop a sense of independence from their parents can throw their lives further off kilter. A trip away from their everyday surroundings connects these teens with others like them, providing a chance to have fun and gain some normalcy back.
"In just hours they become best friends," says Scherber of the teens. "They start taking off their wigs, showing their scars, and talking about boys or girls – it's a total joy to watch these kids open up."
Scherber is also watching her own children – Matthew and Caroline - grow and work toward a meaningful goal. In September, they'll start training for the Kids PMC. Caroline, 6, can ride two miles so far; Matthew, 8, can ride four, although he's aiming for a goal of six miles.
"I'll be a proud mommy when it's over," said Scherber with a smile.
