The Pan-Massachusetts 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. The hope and aspiration of the PMC is to provide Dana-Farber's doctors and researchers the necessary resources to discover cures for all cancers.
The PMC donates 100 percent of rider-raised funds to the Jimmy Fund of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2010, the PMC generated 60 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue and was Dana-Farber’s single largest contributor. In 2011, PMC cyclists will ride with the goal of raising $34 million for Dana-Farber.
About the Ride
The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge 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. Approximately 5,000 cyclists ride in the event. 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 2011, cyclists are required to raise between $500 and $4,200 to ride in the PMC, depending on the chosen route.
Cyclists travel from 34 states and six countries to ride in the PMC. Nearly 300 riders are cancer survivors or current patients. Some PMC cyclists are weekend warriors, others are trained triathletes. Many PMC participants ride in honor of a family member or friend fighting the disease. Cyclists range in age from 13 to 87. The average PMC cyclist is 43 years old, trains for three months, solicits 40 sponsors, and raises more than $6,000. During PMC weekend and throughout the year, nearly 3,000 volunteers donate their time and 200 corporations provide in-kind donations of products or services. The PMC was founded in 1980 by Billy Starr, who remains the event’s executive director, an annual cyclist and a fundraiser.
