More than 6,700 riders, including 508 riders from the South Shore and 58 from Hingham will pedal up to 192 miles in the Pan-Mass Challenge(PMC) this weekend. The annual event has a goal of raising $60 million for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Cyclists from 43 states and 12 countries will convene in Massachusetts this weekend to participate in the PMC, taking on one of 12 routes, which pass through 47 towns and range from 25 to 192 miles, designed to cater to all levels of cycling and fundraising ability. Riders range in age from 13 to 88 and include everyone from seasoned triathletes to weekend warriors. Many ride to honor a family member or friend who has battled cancer, while more than 950 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or current patients themselves.
Local resident, Christine Smith shared her inspiration for riding in the PMC for the third year. “Every year, I walk into the PMC Registration Tent and I cry (and I'm not a crier)! I am overwhelmed by the goodness that this event creates out of something so horrible – cancer – which seems to touch everyone,” shared Christine Smith, Hingham Resident and PMC Rider. “This year, I will be participating with both of my sisters - Karen Jenkins and Claire Draper. We ride for lung cancer and for our dad, Jeff Temple, who rode the PMC for years as a member of his beloved Team Stuie. He retired at age 70, after which time he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He is an inspiration to many, including his care team at Dana Farber, who now all participate as they couldn't say No to Jeff and his unbridled enthusiasm. PMC funding has helped to provide incredible financial, medical and emotional support to so many, creating much needed good and hope in this world, and for that I am most thankful and inspired to ride!”
Participants are required to raise between $600 and $8,500, depending on their chosen route, though the average cyclist raises more than $8,825, which exemplifies the spirit of the PMC and has helped the organization continue to increase its gift year after year, despite declining trends in the industry. Volunteers, spectators, donors and sponsors are also part of the camaraderie on ride weekend, all working together to make a difference in the fight against cancer.
Another veteran Hingham PMC rider is Lain Anderson. Lain shared, “I ride in the PMC because I know the money raised has a huge impact on so many lives. Dana Farber has been instrumental in the innovation that has led to the improved outcomes we see today for cancer patients ... but there is still a long way to go."
In 2018, the PMC donated an unprecedented $56 million to Dana-Farber, bringing it’s 39-year contribution to more than $654 million. The 2019 goal is $60 million.
“As we prepare for our milestone 40th PMC, we are humbled by the continued support from our growing community,” said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC. “It is thanks to the unwavering passion and commitment of our riders, volunteers, donors and sponsors that the PMC has been able to make such a tangible impact on advancements in cancer research and treatment since 1980. We can’t wait to see everyone on the road come August for what we hope will be a safe and enjoyable ride!”
Good luck to the following Hingham PMC Riders, including:
Lain Anderson
David Averett
Patrick Blair
Kevin Blair
Mark Cahill
Scott Caras
Richard Chamberlain
Al Clark
Gary Count
Kate Croteau
George Danis
Pete Dickason
Curtis Diedrich
Matt Dillis
Kim Doble
Taylor Doggett
Adam Doherty
Jane Driscoll Henesey
Matthew Falconeiri
Patricia Flynn
Jonathan Fortin
Gregory Foy
Maia Germain
Andrew Halvorson
Todd Hamilton
S. Amanda Helming
Linda Hull
Karen Jenkins
Joseph Lind
Stephen Locke
Carolyn Locke
Terence Lonsdale
Tod McGrath
Nicole Merhill
Mark Minichiello
Kevin Morris
Elliott Place
Ronald Pollara
Christopher Pollara
David Powers
Sean Riley
Valerie Robin
Bill Rugg
Caroline Russell
Heidi Russell
Rachel Sadhwani
Francesca Sadler
William Saltonstall
Michael Sartor
Jayme Silva
George Sliney
Charlie Smith
Suzanne Smith
Christine Smith
Justin Teague
Hillary Tutko
Jill Ulery
David Whitlock
The PMC is presented by the Red Sox Foundation® and New Balance®. If you’d like to support any of the local riders with a financial contribution, you can visit www.pmc.org, and search by their name.