This year, on Saturday and Sunday, August 3rd and 4th, I’ll be riding in my 17th Pan Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) to raise funds for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I will be starting with 3,200 other riders in Sturbridge, MA, and ending in Provincetown, MA -- for a total of 192 miles. I have established a fundraising goal of $12,000. I would appreciate your help in sponsoring me to reach this goal. 100% of every dollar that you donate will go to Dana-Farber. Yes, 100%. Everything about the PMC can be found at www.pmc.org.
This will be my second year riding as part of Team Kermit. Team Kermit was started 17 years ago by Steven Branfman who lost his son Jared to pediatric brain cancer. Kermit's theme It's not easy being green became Jared's mantra and helped him endure and even laugh through the often grueling treatments. Over the course of the past 16 years, Team Kermit has grown to over 70 members and has raised over $7 Million. These funds support the cutting edge research being done by the Bando Lab at Dana Farber. These treatments are saving children's lives. Jared could be treated if he was diagnosed today. You can learn more about the lab at https://bandolab.org. You can also listen to Dr. Mark Kieran, Former Director, Pediatric Medical Neuro-Oncology, and the former administrator of our fund, talk about the advancements that have been and are being made because of your support: https://vimeo.com/217691250
And please use the following link to learn more about the overall impact of the monies that the PMC raises - www.pmc.org/impact.
This year I am dedicating my ride to our newest granddaughter - Blair Harmon Grossman - who was born last year on PMC weekend (see current picture). Hopefully she and her sister and cousins will not have to worry about the impact of cancer on their lives.
To participate in my fundraising, click the “Donate to my Ride” link on the top right side of this page or any of the Support My Ride links on the left side of this page. Donations can be made by credit card, Venmo, the donation of stock (or other appreciable assets) through the website or by a check (made out to PMC and sent to me at 99 Ox Bow Road, Weston, MA 02493). Employer matching gifts are encouraged, and the process is explained on the web site. If your company does have a matching program that you will be using, please let me know so I can follow the paperwork through the PMC system.
Last year the PMC raised $72 Million in this 2-day event -- resulting in a grand total of $972 Million raised since the event was started in 1980. This year a $75 Million goal has been established - which will push the total raised and given to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute by the PMC to over $1 Billion. It is a daunting amount, but with your help, we can make it happen.
The PMC Community is waiting for the email that says: The PMC has been canceled. The cure for cancer has been found. So until we get that email, please join Team Kermit as we work tirelessly together to find that cure.
