Needham – While the weather outside is frightful, thousands of cyclists around the nation have visions of pedaling through heat and humidity, up steep hills and over the dunes of the Cape this summer.? Registration for the 34th annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) opens Jan. 17.? The weekend event, set for Aug. 3 and 4, will raise money for adult and pediatric cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund.
The PMC is the most successful athletic fundraising event in the nation, raising more money to charity than any other single event.? The event contributes 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the Jimmy Fund. In 2012, the PMC generated 52 percent of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue. Since its founding in 1980, the PMC has raised $375 million. It is Dana-Farber's single largest non-governmental contributor.
The PMC is a fully-supported bike-a-thon that takes cyclists through 46 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Cyclists come from 36 states and eight countries representing riders of various cycling experience levels, cancer survivors and current cancer patients, ages 13 to 88. The 34th annual event will offer 11 routes that range from 25 to 190 miles over one or two days.
“Each year, the event aims to strengthen its current relationships in the community and attract more riders, volunteers and financial contributions,” said PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr. “The Pan-Mass Challenge is like a family with one unifying mission: to raise money for cancer research and care.”
For more information about the PMC, or to register to ride, visit www.pmc.org.
