Community Corner
27 Canton Residents to Ride in This Weekend's Pan-Mass Challenge
The 34th Annual PMC takes place this weekend, August 3 and 4.
On August 3 and 4, a total of 27 Canton residents will participate in the 34th annual Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), the nation’s first charity bike-a-thon that raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country.
The 27 Canton participants include: Arthur Anastos, Linda Antonucci, Kerry Burke, Jerry Castignetti, John Cloherty, Bridget Darling, Ralph Darling, Thomas Darling, Colleen Healey, Ann Hession, John Hession, Nancy King, Karim Malik, Michael McEachern, Keith Merlin, Shamus Mulhall, Julie Mulkerrin, Mark Nalbandian, Annie Peters, Russell Polsgrove, Richard Powers, Joseph Roach, James Scott, John Shapiro, Mary Shapiro, Rachel Shapiro, Charuda Upatham-Costello.
They will be among 5,500 cyclists who will ride with the collective goal of raising $38 million to support adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund.
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. Many PMC participants ride in honor of a family member or friend lost to, or being treated for, cancer. All share a passion and desire to one day find a cure for the disease.
The average PMC cyclist trains for three months, solicits 40 sponsors, and raises more than $6,000.
Doctors ride alongside their patients; grandparents ride with their grandchildren; and others show support from the sidelines in the form of donations and cheers. More than 300 riders are cancer survivors or current patients.
Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“It’s a powerful and emotional weekend for everyone involved,” says Billy Starr, Pan-Mass Challenge founder and executive director. “From the cyclists, to volunteers, staff and family and friends along the route, the PMC unifies 10,000 people for one weekend to make a difference and raise funds to eradicate cancer.”
Since 1980, the PMC has raised $375 million for adult and pediatric cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC gives 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund, a rate of fundraising that is nearly unequaled within the $3 billion athletic fundraising event industry.
Find out what's happening in Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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.
In 2013, cyclists are required to raise between $500 and $4,300 to ride in the PMC. This commitment to the fundraising portion of the PMC is a testament to riders’ dedication to the cause and their belief in the PMC mission.
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 rider from your town, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Checks can be made payable to PMC, 77 Fourth Ave., Needham, Mass. 02494.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
