NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters,

Hope this finds you well! Once again, Team Boston Fire, a collection of military veterans, athletes and cancer survivors will be riding in the 2022 Pan-Mass Challenge. Our team, comprised predominantly of Boston firefighters, will cycle nearly 200 miles on August 6th & 7th to do our part in the fight against cancer.

Every 3 weeks a Boston firefighter is diagnosed with cancer. This is an alarming statistic that equates to 67% of Boston firefighters facing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime! In Boston specifically, between 2012 and 2017, 27 Boston Firefighters under the age of 70 died from cancer. During that same time, 12 firefighters died of cancer within 5 years of retirement and 6 active firefighters died from cancer.

Boston firefighters are an especially at-risk population — more than twice as likely to receive a cancer diagnosis than civilian populations — with over 200 total Boston firefighters succumbing to their battle with occupational cancer since 1990. Team Boston Fire will ride for our 6th straight year to support our brothers and sisters who have been affected in some way by this destructive disease, and work to put it to an end once and for all.

The Pan-Mass Challenge is a Massachusetts-based bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. The PMC raises funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research. 100 percent of all rider-raised funds go directly to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. Since 1980, the PMC has raised $831 million for Dana-Farber.

Team Boston Fire also caught the attention of several local news outlets that were eager to share our story and support Team Boston Fire’s efforts:

NBC – Cancer Rates Are Rising Among Firefighters, Research Shows

CBS Boston – Team Boston Fire Bikes PMC For Fellow Firefighters

WBZ – 2018 PMC: Boston Fire Department Rides

PMC Day at Fenway Park 2018 – https://vimeo.com/278176657

(Rider Drew Wallace honored for his service and participation in PMC at 0:20)

PMC Blog - https://www.pmc.org/blog/why-i-pmc-gerald-powers

(My own personal story and motivation)

Team Webpage: https://www.teambostonfire.com/

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about the team, our ride or how you can help support our mission.

Forever grateful and thankful for your continued generosity and support!

Jerry - Year 4 Rider

Gerald J. Powers Jr. | Team Boston Fire

Pan-Mass Challenge Participant & Team Co-Captain

191 Milton Street • Dorchester, MA 02124

Telephone 617•413•3738