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JANETTE and MAX POLSAK grew up and
met in Washington State. When their daughter Katy was born in 1991, they
moved to Montana and settled in Livingston to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity
of the area. In 1995, their son Payden was born, and two years later their
son Murphy.
Life was filled with outings to Yellowstone, Chico Hot Springs, playing
baseball, hiking and camping. Then in June 2000, Payden, at age 5, fell ill
with Strep Throat. When after treatment, he did not improve, he was taken
to the hospital for further tests where they discovered a brain tumor. Hours
later they flew to Seattle Children's Hospital and he was diagnosed with
Medullablastoma, a cancerous brain tumor. They stayed the rest of the summer
for surgery and treatments. Everyday life was put on hold. Family, friends,
and their community rallied around them with loving support and hope.
Payden's amazing courage, humor, love, and beaming smile was a constant
lesson of life. His battle was lost in November 2001, but not his incredible
spirit and the precious gifts of his life.
 
The Payden Memorial Foundation is a continuation of
Payden's spirit and those gifts. Having been on that journey, we've experienced
the overwhelming needs of families and individuals with children battling
cancer.
Payden taught us that “Life is ... laughter, love, joy, and
kindness.” He is
our guardian angel, always in our hearts, always watching, always helping,
and always smiling.
Contact Max or Janette at 406.222.6700 or email: contact@payden.org.
Janette is a 
JAREMY HAMM
After moving to Montana in the Fall of 1999 from the
rat race of the northeast Jaremy settled in to the local
lifestyle of the constant pursuit of powder turns and tight lines.
In the winter of 2002 he had the first opportunity
to meet the Polsak’s
at the Big Sky Kids winter event. It was an incredible weekend of food and
downhill skiing and food and then some cross-country skiing followed closely
by more food. In the midst of a ton of laughs, stories and tears he had the
opportunity to get to know a little about who Payden was and about all the
qualities that he brought to this life that people of any age could admire.
ANNE CAMPBELL HOSSNER joined
the Payden Memorial Foundation  in 2003. She met the Polsak family through
her work with the For One Another Cancer Family Network. She believes the
Payden Memorial Foundation meets one of Montana's most critical needs: financially
serving families in a time of a crisis. Randomly she was lucky enough to
sell printing for her next job, as that's where she met Nate. She was lured
away from printing (but not from Nate) for the love of animals and now she
is in sales for West Paw Design.
She's originally from Clemson, South Carolina---which like her current home
in Livingston, Montana-- is one of the best kept small town secrets in the
US.
Anne is a many-time Blazing Saddles rider.
NATE HOSSNER joined the Payden Memorial
Foundation in 2005,  shortly after he met his future wife, Anne, who was already
involved in helping Montana families with a cancer diagnosis. Nate is a graduate
of Montana State University and has lived in Montana since 2007. He works
as a training manager at PrintingForless.com and enjoys exploring Montana
with his wife and their two dogs, Bacon and Sophie.
LEZLIE NELSON, the hundred mile hostess, technically
joined the Payden  Memorial Foundation with its inception in 2002, but was
befriended by the Polsaks long before that. She and Payden shared an affinity
for pears and a children’s
story entitled “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very
Bad Day” which she was blessed to share with Payden just before he
had to leave. Lezlie planted pear trees in her yard in his honor and they
have produced prolifically ever since (and they’re juicy too!). Lezlie’s
life has been touched by cancer numerous times over the years starting with
the loss of her father when she was only three, to her sister, some friends
and most of her beloved pets. Being a part of this foundation has enriched
her life immeasurably as Payden’s joyous spirit lives on by helping
so many other kids fighting the battle he sadly had to lose.
Blazing Saddles century riders will recognize Lezlie from the awesone job she does in supporting their 100-mile rides on the Shields River Road loop. She has also supported the board ride with the most superb sag wagon service and refreshment stops that a rider could hope for.
RANDY PICKERING
"Having spent the last 23 years in S.W. Montana, I consider Livingston my home.
 Originally from Arizona, I have always enjoyed the question…don’t you miss the
desert? I’ll put it this way 'you can always put on a jacket when it is cold but
when it is 118 degrees you can only take off so many clothes before they throw you
in jail!'
My passion for cycling led me to the Payden Foundation and the Blazing Saddles ride.
After getting to know Max and Janette and realizing what the Payden Foundation does
for families with children with cancer, I was excited when I was asked to join the
Foundation staff. There is not a better group of individuals that give their time
and effort into helping raise monies for such a great cause."
ANGIE RENNELLS has been involved with the Payden  Memorial Foundation since 2003, providing well-deserved sports massage for the cyclists participating in the "Blazing Saddles - Bike The Bridgers For Kids With Cancer" fundraising event.
She joined the Board in 2006 to become part of an amazing community of people helping people. She believes this foundation provides endless amounts of hope and goodness to all who are a part of it.
Angie has ridden with the board in our pre-Blazing Saddles ride and has also supported us along the miles. She also serves up an awesome and delicious pasta feed the night before the board ride.
LYNN WEAVER grew up in a small town
outside  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After 2 decades of urban life on both coasts, she made Livingston her home in 2002.
She is delighted to live in a small town with a strong sense of community.
She joined the PMF team
in 2007.
She is
a three-time Blazing Saddles rider, the owner/operator of Sparkling Dawg Design, and the creator of our Blazing
Saddles logo and our re-designed Web site.
She's also a Big Sister to a delightful Livingston girl through the Park
County Big Brothers Big Sisters Community Program. "I am in awe of the capable and compassionate board members I work with, and the courageous children and families served by the Foundation."
If you have feedback about,
or problems with our Web site, contact Lynn at webmaster@payden.org.
Footnote:
Our team is working hard on the day of
the event, but we ride the Blazing Saddles
course before ride day. Over the years, most of our Board Members have ridden 25, 45, 65, and 81 mile Blazing Saddles rides with the Board or on the day of the event, and some have ridden 100 miles. All have worked in many capacities on ride day. We know the beauty of the ride, the particulars
of the course, and the challenges our wonderful riders give themselves by
participating in Blazing Saddles.
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