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Father-Daughter Team Ride Second Pan-Mass Challenge In Mother's Memory

UPTON (CBS) -- For Lea Peterson, working as a camp counselor makes for a fun summer.  But the Upton teenager is serious about fighting cancer. For the second year she's taking the Pan-Mass Challenge, and this time she'll ride the whole 192 miles.

"Sophomore year, I had no idea what to expect. I wasn't a cyclist," Lea told us. Lea was just 15-years-old when her mom, Connie, was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.   Immediately, she began turning fear and pain into action.

Peterson family pmc ride
Cris, Connie, and Lea Peterson. (WBZ-TV)

"I say 'Hey, Dad I'm doing the PMC' and he goes 'Yeah right! No way. It's way too young, that's a big commitment.' Then mom was like 'I think it's a great idea.' "

That encouragement also meant a commitment to ride from Lea's dad, Cris.

Training for the PMC connected this father-daughter team in a whole new way and it became an anchor in their lives.

"Everything else might be falling apart, or you might not know what's going on. But you do know you're going to ride 40 miles today, or you do know that the PMC is coming up and you're going to knock it out," said Cris.

Connie died before their first PMC start in Wellesley.

"She didn't see the bikes or anything but she knew we were doing it. So, that was nice to know," Lea explained.  "I was helpless in my mom's situation. And I knew she was going to die and there was nothing I could do about it.  So, being able to ride in the PMC and raise over $22,000  made it so that I knew, one day, I would help other families not have to go through what we did."

lea peterson pmc ride
Lea Peterson is taking the Pan-Mass Challenge, and she'll ride the whole 192 miles. (WBZ-TV)

This year, Lea and Cris are back with even greater ambition. They will ride the entire route from Sturbridge to Provincetown.

"I was one proud dad and still am," said Cris with a beaming smile.

The Pan-Mass Challenge will be held August 6th and 7th.  Join us for the Opening Ceremonies on WBZ-TV live from Sturbridge August 5th at 7pm.

Visited the PMC website for more information on the ride or to make a donation 

Check out Lea's Peterson's donation page to learn more about their ride or make a donation  

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