53 Somerville locals pedal toward record-breaking fundraising goal in the 2024 Pan-Mass Challenge

On July 7, 2024, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Residents cycle to cross $1 billion in lifetime fundraising for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

On Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4, 6,500 riders, including 53 residents from Somerville, will participate in the milestone 45^th Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) with the goal of raising a record $75 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dana-Farber). This year, the PMC, which is Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor, will cross $1 billion in lifetime fundraising for the Institute.

“Thanks to the fierce determination of PMC riders, volunteers, donors and sponsors, I’m confident that this will be our biggest fundraising year yet,” said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC. “We’re well positioned to cross $1 billion in total donations for cancer research and treatment since I founded the PMC in 1980 – I am looking forward to cycling alongside everyone on the road in August as we hit this momentous achievement together.”

As the #3 top-grossing peer-to-peer fundraising organization in the country, the PMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to Dana-Farber to support cancer research and patient care, accounting for 62 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. For more than four decades, PMC funds have allowed Dana-Farber to achieve lifesaving clinical breakthroughs and advancements. In the last five years alone, Dana-Farber doctors and researchers have played a substantial role in developing more than half of all cancer drugs approved by the FDA.

Cyclists come together from all corners of the world to ride between 25 and 211 miles—6 countries and 44 states, territories, and districts—with one mission: to raise as much money as possible for Dana-Farber. Most participate in honor of a family member or friend fighting cancer, and nearly 1,000 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or current patients, considered Living Proof® of the PMC mission. There are also 160 Dana-Farber employees committed to the cause as riders and volunteers, in some cases to fund their own cancer research.

There is still time to be #OneInABillion by participating in this year’s ride – registration for PMC 2024 is open through July 1. Join riders from your community in the fight against cancer by registering for one of the following routes still available:

25 & 50-Mile Routes (1-Day, 25 or 50 Miles; Sunday, August 4):
- Starting and finishing in either Wellesley or Foxboro at Patriot Place, these Sunday routes are perfect single day options.
Wellesley Century Ride (1-Day, 100 Miles; Sunday, August 4):
- The scenic Wellesley Century route is for riders looking to challenge their endurance in a single day format while making an impact in the fight against cancer.

The PMC is co-presented by the Red Sox Foundation^® and M&T Bank. To make a financial contribution to a rider from your town or to register as a rider, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Connect with #PMC2024 on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Thank you to the following riders from Somerville: