Community Corner
13 Grafton Residents Riding in Pan-Mass Challenge
Since 1980, the charity bike-a-thon has raised $338 million for cancer research and patient care.
Information submitted by the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge
Thirteen Grafton residents will ride next month in the Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for cancer research.
The charity bike-a-thon raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country. Since 1980, the PMC has raised $338 million for adult and pediatric cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. The PMC gives 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the Jimmy Fund. In 2011, the PMC raised $35 million, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the philanthropic support of Dana-Farber.
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The 13 Grafton residents will be among 5,500 cyclists who will ride with the collective goal of raising $36 million.
PMC riders range in age from 13 to 88. Some are seasoned tri-athletes while others are weekend warriors having trained for this event alone. Most PMC participants ride in honor of a family member or friend lost to, or being treated for, cancer.
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The average PMC cyclist trains for three months, solicits 40 sponsors, and raises more than $6,000. More than 300 riders are cancer survivors or current patients.
“The PMC is the gold standard of athletic fundraising events,” says Billy Starr, Pan-Massachusetts Challenge founder and executive director. “PMCers are as committed to raising money for cancer research as they are to pedaling the miles. PMC cyclists are all heart and soul.”
The PMC is a fully supported bike-a-thon — with food and water stops, mechanical and medical assistance, luggage transportation, and lodging—that runs through 46 towns across Massachusetts. Cyclists choose from 11 routes of varying mileage designed to cater to all levels of cycling strength and time availability. There are six two-day routes that range from 153 to 190 miles and five one-day rides that range from 25 to 110 miles. In 2012, cyclists are required to raise between $500 and $4,300 to ride in the PMC.
The ride has two starting lines on Saturday, Aug. 4, in Sturbridge and in Wellesley, and five finish lines in Provincetown (2), Bourne, Wellesley or Foxboro on Saturday, Aug. 4 or Sunday, Aug. 5.
The PMC is presented by the Red Sox Foundation and the New Balance Foundation. To become a virtual rider, or make a financial contribution to a Grafton rider, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Checks can be made payable to PMC, 77 Fourth Ave., Needham, MA 02494.
The Grafton riders and their eGift IDs are:
eGiftID:
Last Name
First Name
KA0065
Annis
Kelly
MF0222
Faria
Matthew
LH0077
Herndon
Laurie
KK0067
Kastler
Kim
JL0174
Liller
John
DM0364
Murphy
Dana
MM0543
Murphy
Michael
MR0234
Roseen
Michael
DW0100
White
David
BB0020
Bane
Brian
DC0300
Cooper
David
JO0091
O'Brien
Joseph
JB0574
Brennan
Jody
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