Dear Anonymous

Author

Don DeMaria

Out on the road--Day 1 of Pelotonia 2018

When my wife and I give to charitable causes, we normally ask to be recognized as anonymous supporters, because we believe our giving is not about public recognition.

In my job, my community activities, and in my personal life, I sometimes ask people for money to fundraise for my job, community agencies I support, and personal causes. While many are shy about this, I tend to be direct and share how someone’s support will impact the cause.

In just a couple of days, I will ride in my second Pelotonia and once again, I ask my friends, family and community to support me by donating to this effort that aims to end cancer. Considering the amazing work of this organization, I am optimistic that cancer soon will be history, and there are days where I truly believe that the dollars donated to support my ride will be the very ones to finally stick it to cancer.

For the last two years, I have reached out to my tribe to raise funds to reach at least the minimum fundraising commitment to participate in Pelotonia. I am fortunate to have a generous community of friends who support this effort and I do all I can to thank them. However, there is one friend who I do not know, and this person has anonymously donated $1000 to support my ride for the last two years.

Yes. Two years. $1000 per year. Unknown to me. Each time I have been notified of this donation, I have cried from being so overwhelmed by someone’s generosity. However we know each other and why this person supports me to this level, I do not know. I have tried to guess who this is and while I have a few prospects, I honestly give up. In the end, I do not need to know, but I do need to say thank you. As a result, I write this note to my supporter and hope that they read it.

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Dear Anonymous,

While I have some guesses, I do not know who you are but I know that you hate cancer as much or perhaps more than I do.

I recognize that anonymity is forever your choice and since I cannot thank you personally, I am doing so here. If we know one another (as I assume we do), let me buy you a beer, coffee or lunch but feel free to keep your secret. You can know in your mind that this is my official thank you without me even knowing that you are my grand anonymous supporter.

This weekend, when I ride and inevitably suffer as cyclists do, I recognize that my pain is small and temporary. I ride for you and all of your friends and family who have confronted cancer. We will beat this disease and I will continue to ride until we do.
I have no words that describe the honor it has been to ride for you. While your donation has helped me exceed my goals each year, the bigger picture is that your support has propelled Pelotonia’s research mission including a recent pledge to fund a new $100M Immuno-Oncology center where cutting-edge, life-saving research will happen every day. Efforts like this will finally bring an end to cancer.

If I see you soon, please give me the opportunity to demonstrate a small gesture of kindness to show my gratitude, and remember that while I may never know your identity, I always ride for you.

Help me find an end to cancer by supporting me at pelotonia.org/dondemaria. (Feel free to give anonymously or let me know who you are — your choice.)