Published in the July 18, 2018 edition
NEEDHAM — On Aug. 4 and 5, twelve riders from Wakefield will cycle up to 192 miles in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) with the goal of topping last year’s record-breaking gift and raising $52 million for critical cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
During PMC weekend, over 6,300 cyclists from more than 40 states and 10 countries will gather in Massachusetts to participate in the PMC. Riders include everyone from seasoned triathletes to weekend warriors and range in age from 13 to 85. Many ride to honor a family member or friend lost to, or being treated for cancer, and more than 850 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or current patients themselves, and considered living proof of the PMC mission.
THIS YEAR’S Pan-Mass Challenge will take place August 4-5. (Courtesy Photo)
Designed to cater to all levels of cycling and fundraising ability, the PMC offers 12 different routes, varying in mileage and difficulty, that pass through 46 towns across the Commonwealth, with starting lines in Sturbridge, Wellesley and Bourne. Cyclists are required to raise between $600 and $8,000, depending on the chosen route, though the average cyclist raises more than $7,000, which exemplifies the spirit of the PMC and its riders. Volunteers, spectators, donors and sponsors are also part of the camaraderie on ride weekend, all working together in hopes of one day eradicating cancer.
“After surpassing our goal and raising $51 million for Dana-Farber last year, we are excited to keep the momentum going as we approach our 39th PMC ride weekend,” said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC. “We are continuously humbled by the dedication and generosity of our riders, volunteers, donors, sponsors and community members – it’s thanks to them that the PMC is able to make such an immense impact on the fight against cancer. We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable ride weekend and can’t wait to see you all out on the road.”
The PMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to Dana-Farber through the its fundraising arm, the Jimmy Fund, and is the institute’s largest single contributor, raising more than 53 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. In 2017, the PMC gave a record gift of $51 million to Dana-Farber, bringing it’s 38-year contribution to a total of more than $598 million since its inception in 1980.
The PMC is presented by the Red Sox Foundation and New Balance. To make a financial contribution to a rider from your town or become a virtual rider, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Connect with #PanMass2018 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Good luck to the following participants from Wakefield. Following each name is a brief excerpt from their “Why I ride” profile if available and a link to their PMC donation page. Be sure to visit these links to donate and read more about why our community members choose to participate in this life changing event.
Dan Andrews: “Team Make Way for Molly will be riding to honor a number of cancer survivors such as Cecily (my Mom) and Molly (my Sister-in-Law) who are both living proof that your donations are making a difference.” Link: https://profile.pmc.org/DA0098
Lauren Brissette: “I now ride in memory of my Uncle Stanley, my high school teacher Mary Lyle and in support of all the current combatants of the disease as well as those who have recovered… especially Marilyn, Michelle, Faith, Brendan, Jen, Lynn and Uncle Michael.” Link: https://profile.pmc.org/LB0184
Michael Carroll: Link: https://profile.pmc.org/MC0006
Gary DiPerna: “This past June marked three years since we lost my wife Debbie to cancer. Deb was the last person my family and I thought would ever have to face cancer, let alone the rare, aggressive kind with which she was diagnosed. Deb, the brave, determined, person we all knew and loved faced her diagnosis head on, and fought tooth and nail every day for just shy of one year. The PMC provides hope for all those who will be affected by this disease, even if they happen to be diagnosed at a late stage or with a particularly aggressive form of cancer like the one Deb had.” Link: https://profile.pmc.org/GD0096
Steven Galante: “I wait all year long for PMC Weekend as they are truly my favorite days of the year! This will be my 10th PMC and as always, I ride in memory of my mother, Corinne Galante. Looking back over the last decade and what we have gone through in this time, there are so many emotions. Fear, anger, anxiety, sadness, resentment are a few that come to mind. Riding in the PMC and the unwavering support my family and I have been given over the last 10 years, I can only think of words like love, strength, empowerment, togetherness, generosity and most importantly… hope.” Link: https://profile.pmc.org/SG0170
David Glucksman: “This year in particular, I am also choosing to ride in honor of my mother, who has waged her own battle with cancer for over 20 years with many ups and downs along the way. This disease literally affects every single walk of life, and in a time where we can all seem to fight and disagree on things that aren’t nearly as important, the fight against cancer should be an easy one that we can all join together on. Whether you choose to ride, volunteer, donate, research, or anything in between, the sheer statistics of cancer prove that you are not wasting your time or energy in the fight.” Link: https://profile.pmc.org/DG0220
Matthew Lasker: “Two years ago on Father’s Day, my son Ian was diagnosed with b-cell accute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). He was three and a half years old. Needless to say, life took an unexpected turn that day. Thankfully, my PMC ride this year will mark the completion of Ian’s successful treatment! I expect to be overwhelmed with emotion as I experience the opening ceremony in Sturbridge, waiting with a picture of Ian taped to my handlebar stem to roll out with some 5,000 other riders toward our final destination in Provincetown. I’ll likely be overcome with emotion several times during this extraordinary two-day, 200-mile cycling experience. Every pedal stroke (and there will be millions collectively) between Sturbridge and Provincetown will be dedicated, in memory of, in honor of, as living proof of those we have lost, those who continue the fight, and those who have won. I am honored and inspired to ride on their behalf and to contribute my personal pedal strokes toward our ultimate destination: a cure for Cancer.” Link: https://profile.pmc.org/ML0282
Mark Morrison: “In memory of those who have lost the fight with cancer, with hope for a cure for those who are currently fighting, and with joy shared with those who have won their fight.” Link: https://profile.pmc.org/MM0269
John Parisi
Michael Strock: Link: https://profile.pmc.org/MS0552
Mark Tarpey: Link: https://profile.pmc.org/MT0231
David West: “We all continue to lose people to this horrible disease, but the fight goes on.” Link: https://profile.pmc.org/DW0085
