Above: Dave McCay and Matthew Thayer (with fellow riders) from past Pan-Mass challenges. They’ll be biking again for the Jimmy Fund this weekend. (Image left from fundraising page, right contributed)
The 36th annual Pan-Mass Challenge takes place this weekend.
Earlier this summer, I shared a Southborough cyclist’s commitment to the bike-a-thon (Jude Joujout). Since then, I’ve heard from two more asking me to share their information about the Jimmy Fund fundraiser.
Mirick O’Connell attorney David McCay shared his reasons for his ride on his fundraising page:
I ride for everyone battling cancer. But this year I’m riding especially for Christina, our pedal partner for my PMC team, Team Dassault. Christina is 9 years old and has Rhabdomyosarcoma, a very rare form of cancer found in only 200 people each year. Christina’s cancer returned last year, and we are so proud of her courage as she fights through her 52-week chemo regimen. Our team wears purple bracelets to honor her.
I also ride to honor my Aunt Ceci. This June marks 10 years since I lost my favorite Aunt to ovarian cancer. (Click here to support his ride.)
Matthew Thayer posted:
On August 1 and 2, I will be riding in my second Pan Mass Challenge — over 190 miles across Massachusetts in the course of two days. I am once again literally putting my butt on the line to help raise money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — an incredibly effective research institution committed to finding cures and therapies for cancer in people of all ages. If you know someone who is fighting cancer or is a cancer survivor, or even if you need some good karma or just want to help me out and show your support, please consider donating to help me meet my fundraising goal. 100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s tireless commitment to finding a cure. If you don’t already know about the amazing work in the fight against cancer made possible through the Jimmy Fund, check out this link to find out more. (Click here to support his ride.)
If you are also participating in the race (and either a member of the Southborough community or raising funds on behalf of one) feel free to post your information and fundraising link in the comments.
If you aren’t familiar with the Pan-Mass – every year, thousands of riders bike the one or two day route to raise money for Dana Farber’s Jimmy Fund:
The Pan-Mass Challenge raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1980, the PMC has successfully melded support from committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual contributors. All are essential to the PMC’s goal and model: to attain maximum fundraising efficiency while increasing its annual gift. Our hope and aspiration is to provide Dana-Farber’s doctors and researchers with the necessary resources to discover cures for all cancers.
