Hello Family, Friends, Colleagues, and Fellow Humans,

This summer, I’m once again riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge — my fourth time pedaling in support of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving work. The PMC isn’t just a bike ride. It’s a powerful movement fueled by love, loss, hope, and the unwavering belief that we can conquer cancer.

Cancer hit close to home for my family just over two years ago. Since then, we’ve navigated the complexity and emotional toll of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery — a journey that’s deeply personal, never linear, and without a finish line. My loved ones' resilience has been extraordinary. But it’s also a reminder that the battle doesn’t end — and that research, support, and innovation remain essential.

That’s why on August 2nd and 3rd, I’ll be riding two full days — from Cambridge to Wellesley to Bourne to Pocasset on Saturday, and then Bourne to Provincetown on Sunday — covering ~175 miles in total. My goal is to raise $6,000, with a stretch goal of $9,000, and 100% of every dollar goes directly to Dana-Farber.

Last year, thanks to your incredible support, we raised $7,735 — contributing to a historic milestone: in 2024, the PMC raised a record $75 million, pushing its all-time total to over $1 billion raised since 1980. That’s an astonishing, real-world impact.

If you’re curious about exactly where those dollars go, check out the 2024 PMC Impact Chart — it’s an inspiring snapshot of what your support makes possible.

The work at Dana-Farber brings real hope to real people. From early detection to advanced therapies, their work is transforming lives — and every mile I ride, every dollar you give, helps move that forward. 100% of rider-raised donations go directly to Dana-Farber.

If you’d like to support my 2025 PMC ride, you can donate on this page. If you prefer to send a check, make a Donor Advised Fund or IRA gift, please reach out — I’d love to hear from you.

If you're not in a position to give, that’s absolutely okay — your support is still felt and truly appreciated. And if you or someone you care about is facing something similar and you ever want to talk — I’m here.

Thank you for standing with me again this year. Together, mile by mile, dollar by dollar, we are getting closer.

With gratitude,
David Vallance

Prior Rides

---------2024----------

Hello Family, Friends, Colleagues, & Fellow Humans,

Cancer hit close to home last year when a direct family member was diagnosed. It was a stark realization of the impact of this disease. I've learned that every: evolving diagnosis, prognosis, procedure, treatment, response to treatments, long-term care, support network... are all personally unique. It's been just over a year since the diagnosis of my loved one and while the results have been positive, it's not without ongoing impacts. Their battle has underscored just how much more we need to do in the fight against cancer.

That's why I'm committing to ride in the 2024 Bourne to Provincetown Pan-Mass Challenge on Sunday, August 4th! My goal is to raise $6,000 – and with your help, I'm aiming for a $9,000 stretch goal to make an even bigger difference.

The PMC isn't just a bike ride; it's a powerful symbol of hope. Hope that one day cancer will be a word of the past. 100% of every dollar you donate goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where life-changing research and treatments are happening every day. I am incredibly grateful that last year you helped me raise more than $8,500 which in turn contributed to the PMC raising an allocating a record-breaking $72 million to conquer cancer!

Sadly, too many of us know someone whose life has been forever altered by cancer. Here are some startling facts:

• One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.
• One in eight men will develop prostate cancer.

I'm riding to change these and so many other statistics to achieve better outcomes. I'm riding for a world without cancer.

Please consider supporting my PMC journey. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a direct impact. If you can't give right now or give in other ways, I completely understand.

If you prefer to send a check, need instructions for a DAF or IRA donation, or just want to chat, please reach out to me directly.

Thank you for helping me conquer cancer, we are getting closer by the mile.

With gratitude,

David

---------- 2023 --------------

Hello Family, Friends, Colleagues, &...

I've committed to raise $2000 ($5K stretch goal) to help conquer cancer and ride the 2023 Re-imagined Pan-Mass Challenge! Re-imagined means that I will not be riding the two day course, that I did last year. This year, my focus is on supporting a loved one who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments over the summer, so the plan is to find a time in the lulls to do an ~80 mile ride likely from Bourne to Provincetown one day this summer.

This endeavor is more than just a bike ride. It's a statement of hope. A hope that one day, we don't have to talk about cancer anymore, beating cancer - doesn't mean surgeries, and months of treatments, or the ultimate cost of losing friends, family, and colleagues. Too many have been impacted.

100% of every donation goes directly to the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where they make a real, tangible impact. Last year, the Pan-Mass Challenge broke records by raising a staggering $69 million! Every dollar contributed goes towards vital areas such as research, early detection, and treatments. You can view the 2022 donation distribution here: https://www.pmc.org/hubfs/PMC_Impact_2022_H.pdf

Despite the remarkable strides we've made in the fight against cancer, the disease continues to leave a massive impact. As of 2023, the two most prevalent cancers in the United States — breast cancer and prostate cancer — alone continue to pose significant risks. One in every eight women may develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and the same odds hold for men with prostate cancer. The battle against cancer is far from over. There is so much more to do.

Thank you to those who have supported this event and my efforts to raise just over $7500 last year. If you wish to contribute, you can do so using this link. If you prefer to send a check or need instructions for Donor Advised Fund (DAF) or IRA donations, please email me directly and I can help you. Remember, 100% of your donation goes directly to Dana-Farber.

Thank you so much for your support in achieving my goal to help conquer cancer.

--------2022---------

I've committed to raise $6000 ($10K Stretch goal) to conquer cancer and ride the 2022 Pan-Mass challenge, 162 miles over 2 days! I am raising donations in the hope that I will be able to say more often, congratulations on beating cancer! Too many family, friends and colleagues have been impacted by cancer over the years.

On the first weekend in August, I will join the 6 River Systems Riv Riders and thousands of cyclists in the PMC, an annual bike-a-thon that raises money for research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston.

While I signed up in January to ride for a better future, I will now also be riding for my friend and colleague Dan Winkler. Before he passed away this spring, we had talked at length about riding the PMC together, providing me tips on how to have a successful ride. I know in spirit he will be leading all the way to Provincetown.

100% of donations go to Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and have a real impact - the PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country - $831 million since 1980 and a record $64 million last year alone! Every dollar helps, going towards: research, early detection, treatments… (2021 distribution here: https://www.pmc.org/hubfs/PMC_Impact_2021_H.pdf)

Thank you so much for your support in achieving my goal to help conquer cancer.