Dear Supporting Community,
Wow, what a year we had in 2023! It was my 10th year riding in the Pan Mass Challenge and you all helped me raise over $10,000, contributing to the whopping $72 Million total raised by the PMC for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute! I am back at it again for year 11 and as I am planning my summer around heading from Oakland California (my home since 2021) to Sturbridge Massachusetts to share in the amazing weekend that is the PMC, I cannot help but think of my favorite PMC slogan.
For those of you who don't know, the Pan Mass Challenge is a cycling fundraiser where people congregate from all over for one cause; to end cancer. Each year there is a new meaningful phrase that acts as inspiration and motivation for riders. This tradition started with 'Closer By The Mile' meaning, with each mile we ride and each dollar raised, we are closer to finding a cure for cancer.
As a kid, my sister, mom and I would join dad at the opening ceremonies of PMC weekend in Sturbridge MA. We would leave feeling sad about the impact that cancer has on so many, but hopeful, energized and excited because dad was part of a community that was doing something about it. I was always amazed that the number of cyclists would grow and grow each year. Billy Starr, the founder of the PMC, always had a section of the ceremony where he would announce the number of riders from each state and country, and number of riders in each age group. These moments stood out to me because all I could think was wow, these people are truly committed. I saw that commitment in the thousands of PMC volunteers; I saw it in my dad and his friends who sign up each year for another weekend of cycling 192 miles across Massachusetts; I saw it in my mom, grandparents and great uncle who drove hours from their homes to Bourne, MA to watch my dad and thousands of others cross the day one finish line. Conceptually I understood the commitment these amazing people were making but it didn't hit home until my second year when the PMC slogan was 'Commit, You'll Figure It Out'.
And holy cow have I figured it out! The PMC is a family. The event and the people make me feel love, friendship, gratitude and hope to end cancer. We are working towards a greater goal and the sense of hope and progress within the community is palapable. As I plan my travels east for the fourth year since moving to California, 'Commit, You'll Figure It Out' continues to evolve in meaning. I've committed to this family, to this cause, and I will continue to commit to travel over 3,000 miles to be part of this incredible cause.
Thank you for being on my rider page, and for reading about my journey with the PMC. From all of us PMC riders, we sincerely appreciate your support and donation to our ride and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
With Love,
Jess Bishop
Dear Friends, Family and Supporters,
2023, year 10 babyyyy!!! I cannot believe that this will be my 10th year riding the PMC! The PMC and Dana Farber Cancer Institute keep making a massive difference in people's lives and I am forever grateful to be part of this family that is fighting so hard to change the outcome of a cancer diagnosis.
For those of you who don't know, the PMC is a 192 mile bike ride across Massachusetts that raises money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. One of the reasons I love this event so much is because 100% of the rider raised dollars (your donations) goes directly to life saving cancer research.
I am writing to ask for donations for my 2023 ride with the goal of personally achieving $45,000 raised over the past 10 years. Of course, this would absolutely not be possible without all of you, your love, and support.
I ride for so many reasons, for so many people. Year after year there's never a question of whether I will ride again because the fight is not over. There's still more work to be done. Your support and donations make an incredible and positive impact on so many people's lives. Thank you so much!
Love,
Jess
Dear Friends and Family,
This year (2022) will be my 9th Pan Mass Challenge (PMC). For those of you who don’t know, the PMC is a road cycling event that raises money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. I will ride ~200 miles across Massachusetts the first weekend of August, with thousands of other riders. We dedicate our time and efforts to this event because we all have the same goal to raise critical funds that will hopefully help kick cancer's ass.
Throughout the weekend I pin to my jersey a list of names of people I am riding for and every year that list grows; it f***ing sucks and is heartbreaking. This year I will add the names of co-workers, classmates, and parents of some of my closest friends, all loved ones we have lost and those who are currently battling cancer.
Over the past 8 years I have raised $32,966, and my fundraising goal this year is an additional $6,000. Kicking cancer’s ass is not possible without the support of amazing people like you. If you’re interested in donating to my ride please do so here and know that one of the best parts of donating to the PMC is knowing that 100% of rider raised dollars go directly to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, making life-changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care, providing the most advanced treatments available.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support of my ride, the PMC and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I appreciate you <3
Link to donate: https://profile.pmc.org/jb0626
With love,
Jess Bishop
Dear Friends and Family
Last week my family biked our own route to raise money for PMC and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute; 192 miles in Upstate NY.
This year was my 8th, Natalie’s 7th and my dad’s 20th ride! Wow, I’m so proud of my dad for doing this for 20 years!!! Doing the 2021 PMC Reimagined ride presented a lot of “firsts” for us this year including mom joining for 136 of the 192 miles, specifically on a 60 mile day along the eastern coast of Lake Ontario as well as another 60 mile day up along the St. Lawrence river! I feel extremely fortunate to have done this year’s ride with my family and in our happy place.
As some of you know, I have been bopping around the US for most of the past year, but in June I made my way back to New York for a celebration of life of the dad of one of my dear college friends who recently lost his battle to cancer. (I have her permission to share this story) It was a beautiful celebration of life that took many shapes with a formal service and then celebration party with his friends and family and lots and lots of tie dye. There was a lot of crying but also laughing and wonderful stories being told. I took a lot away from the weekend, reaffirming the importance of friends and family, living life to the fullest, pursuing peace in all ways possible and continuing to work as hard as I can to contribute to the fight against cancer because too many of us say goodbye too soon.
Thank you so much for your support in the past, we really couldn’t do this without you. If you are interested in donating to my ride this year (even though we already biked), PMC accepts donations for a few more weeks and you can make a contribution on this page. Any amount helps because 100% of rider raised dollars goes directly to Dana Farber and the amazing doctors and professionals who are conducting groundbreaking research and providing state-of-the-art care.
With love, thanks, and gratitude,
Jess
#TeamBishop #TeamLickCancer
Ride on Baby
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2020
Dear Loved Ones,
It has been a weird year to say the least. I hope you and yours are staying as healthy and safe as possible. This email/message is coming later than normal because frankly, there are so many other things going on in the world that I have not had the heart to send a fundraising email. This past weekend I received news that changed that.
A dear friend from college was supposed to be spending this summer planning her beautiful, intimate and colorful wedding. Instead she has been spending most of her time with her father, now at his bedside, having been moved to hospice due to his second cancer diagnosis; wondering what will hit first, Covid-19 or cancer.
This week, my dad, sister and I are riding a reimagined PMC in upstate NY and pledge to complete the 192 miles. Even during these tough times, cancer won't slow down, so we dedicate our time and effort to fundraising with the other PMC riders to ultimately speed up the process of finding a cure and fighting back, entrusting Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) to do just that. For examples of how DFCI is on the forefront of cancer therapy research, check out these Impact videos from doctors at DFCI.
If you are interested in donating to my ride, please do so here. 100% of rider raised dollars goes directly to DFCI. Thank you for your support in prior years, we truly appreciate it.
With Love and Support,
Jessica
2019
Dear Friends, Family and Supporters,
This is my 6th PMC and yet again, I have another reason to ride this year.
In early June, a friend lost her year-long fight to cancer. If anyone could have beat cancer, I really believed it would be her, with her beautiful energy, unrelenting strength and unparalleled zest for life. When I heard the news, I knew where to channel my energy.
//
What I find so inspiring about the PMC is that 6,000+ riders and 4,000+ volunteers come together on one weekend a year to demonstrate what strength in numbers looks like, despite countless heartaches and loss. We are strong, and we will keep getting stronger.
Please consider joining the 10,000 PMC family members and donate to the PMC and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. 100% of rider-raised dollars/your contributions, go directly to fight. If you have any questions, please refer to the PMC fundraising info page (https://www.pmc.org/fundraising-info). My dad, sister and I have set a goal to raise a total of $15,000. Any amount helps us get one step closer to our family goal of $15,000 and to the 2019 PMC goal of $60 Million. We truly appreciate any contribution and will work extremely hard to keep showing monumental strength in numbers.
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2018
Dear Supporters,
This is a special year for me as a rider as I am celebrating my 5th year in the PMC!
This event is always a highlight of my year because it is a weekend that I dedicate, my family dedicates and the other 6,000 riders dedicate to fighting for a cure for cancer.
As I am preparing myself emotionally and physically for the weekend that lies ahead, I want to take a moment to thank all of my friends, family and suppoerters who have helped me to get to the PMC every year. Without you, we would not be able to make this a family event, and without your help and donations, Dana Farber would not be making the strides they are today.
Thank you for making this possible and thank you for helping change people's lives.
Love, Jess
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2017
2017 Post PMC Thoughts
During the opening ceremonies of this years PMC, Billy Start told a story about a rider who also runs the Boston Marathon. This rider says that during the marathon, supporters cheer you can do it. During the PMC supporters cheer thank you for saving lives. It is hard to describe the feelings you get on the first weekend in August when you are a part of the PMC community, but this riders thoughts have helped me to put those feelings into words. We work hard during the PMC and we work hard to raise money for the PMC becasue Dana Farber Cancer Institute is saving lives, and I cannot think of a better way to spend my time and energy. Ride on Baby <3
Dear Friends, Family and Supporters, (August 3, 2017)
This year I have been training in NYC. Ali (my biking buddy) and I stopped in Central Park during my last PMC training ride to take a few photos before the weekends big event! I will be riding 200 miles in 2 days raising money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Cancer sucks and I am raising money to ride and put an end to anyone having to hear the words you have cancer. The past few months I have been exposed to cancer in a different way. I recently moved to NYC and moved in with a friend of a friend. Jessica Young is now one of my wonderful friends, roommate and also happens to be a nurse in a cancer treatment hospital. She will come home and tell me about her day and all I can ask is how do you do it? How are you not crippled with sadness everyday? Her answer is that her patients give her a new perspective on life. If they can't leave the hospital, then she will live up her life for all of those who can't. I understand that because that is why I ride in the PMC. I ride for those who can't. I ride for those who have and can't any longer. I ride for those who have passed and I ride for the future because I strive for there to be a day when we no longer need to hear the dreaded words you have cancer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who have donated to this cause in some way or another.
This event is amazing because 100% of rider raised dollars goes to Dana Farber Cancer Institute so any donation makes a direct impact in someone's life. Thank you friends, family and an extra thank you to my training partner Ali Ware and to an additional inspiration Jessica Young and Helen Webb.
*Ride on Baby*
With Love, Jess
Dear Supporters,
PMC weekend is coming up soon and my mind cannot help but be flooded by images of my past three years riding. I would have guessed that my memory of 2014 would consit of rain, rain and more rain, memories from 2015 would consist of dehydrated riders, sun, heat and 2016 memories would consist of the support of my amazing team, Team Lick Cancer. Those are not the first images that come to my mind when I think about the PMC.
I see the children standing on the side of the road holding signs stating Survivor, or I'm here because of you. I see the back of riders jerseys that say I ride for my daughter who is battling Lukemia or I ride in memory of my dad. I see the bands and bagpipes of Cherry Lane, an entire road that plays music for hours, to encourage and thank the thousands of riders that raise money for the people that they know and love who are battling cancer.
I see THESE images, because these are the moments that motivate me to ride and are the memories that truly matter. I ride becasue the PMC is an organization the gives tremendous support to DFCI, the #2 provider of care for children with cancer. The PMC is here to help support the families, friends, and aquaintances who battle cancer in their lives one way or another.
Please consider donating to this amazing cause, and if you already have, I thank you. You are making a direct contribution to this ongoing battle.
We're Team Lick Cancer of the PMC, won't you come and ride with me
RIde on baby we're Team Lick, your donations do the trick
Ride on, baby, ride on, baby, ride on, baby wooooooooo!!!!!
Sincerely,
Jessica Bishop
PMC 2016
Dear Supporters,
It's that time of year again, that time of year when I ask for your help and support.
I ride in the PMC because the PMC makes a difference in the lives of thousands and thousands of people who have been affected by cancer in one way or another. On the first weekend in August, I will ride 190 miles, with hundreds of other bikers, from Sturbridge MA to Province Town MA in the hopes of gaining support for this incredible cause.
I am riding to protect, save, and help my friends, and family, and your friends and family. After my first ride last summer I wrote, as a rider, you are met by thousands of people, apparently rain or shine, lining the streets to cheer and thank you for the effort you put in to help the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Little kids standing on the side of the road holding out their hands wanting high-fives from riders, the clanking of pots and pans, the families that play music on stereos, people holding water bottles for riders, bag pipe players, and dancers, all seeming to be strategically placed to motivate you in a time of physical doubt. It was something that I have never experienced and honestly never imagined experiencing. As we rounded the last turn, both Saturday and Sunday, I could not help the tears that were pooling in my eyes. The feeling of accomplishment, gratitude and support were extremely overwhelming. I will remember those feelings for the rest of my life, and hopefully I will be able to make an impact in the years to come.
I am riding this year to make a repeating impact. I cannot wait to round those final corners with tears in my eyes thinking about how people have supported me and through that amazing act, how we have supported the cause to fight cancer.
This year, me, my dad and my sister will all be riding together and my mom and grandparents will be waiting for us at the finish line. The PMC has become a family affair because we want to make a difference in the world, and together, we are stronger.
Thank you for your support. You are making a difference. :)
Love, Jessica Bishop
Dear Supporters,
I have just successfully completed my first ever PMC ride and words cannot describe the adventure I had. We rode through 70 miles of heavy drizzle with a speck of sunlight and proceeded to be met by a torrential downpour for the rest of the 40 miles in our 110 mile day. Everyone kept saying it will get better-it's never like this and my remark back was always, what do you mean, I am absolutely loving this. I have nothing to compare it to and all of these people are still out on the streets supporting us!
As a rider, you are met by thousands of people, apparently rain or shine, lining the streets to cheer and thank you for the effort you put in to help the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Little kids standing on the side of the road holding out their hands wanting high-fives from riders, the clanking of pots and pans, the families that play music on stereos, people holding water bottles for riders, bag pipe players, and dancers, all seeming to be strategically placed to motivate you in a time of physical doubt. It was something that I have never experienced and honestly never imagined experiencing. As we rounded the last turn, both Saturday and Sunday, I could not help the tears that were pooling in my eyes. The feeling of accomplishment, gratitude and support were extremely overwhelming. I will remember those feelings for the rest of my life, and hopefully I will be able to make an impact in the years to come.
I would be remiss if I left out the thousands of riders who dedicate their time to this amazing cause. There are riders from all over the country and world, and no matter how different everyone is, all are there for the same reason. My dad describes it as the only place he has ever been that he can become friends with everyone that is there, and I absolutely felt the same way. This feeling undeniably lasted the entire weekend. We experience camaraderie, sadness, happiness, relief, accomplishment and everything you can think of, together. The most memorable moments I experienced with riders were the times I looked at jerseys or calves. Many people write the names of people they ride for. and the real tear jerker was when I saw countless people riding with Mom on one calf and Dad on the other. Ultimately, the array of emotions I encountered during the weekend is indescribable, and is consequently motivation to ride again.
Friday night during the opening ceremonies, my sister and I sat next to a woman named Molly. She was lovely and we were having conversations about the PMC and about school and the usual new friendship talk. When the ceremonies started, Billy Star, the founder of the PMC asked all cancer survivors or those going through treatment, to stand up. Molly was among the group that stood. This moment reminded me that Cancer affects everyone. We can't avoid it. We will be affected whether it's your grandparent, sibling, friend, relative, teammate, or the woman you sit next to at an opening ceremony. Cancer is unavoidable, but the PMC has taught me to COMMIT to the cause, and together we can make change.
Please support my ride below. Trust me, it's worth it!
Sincerely,
Jessica Bishop ( 1st year rider)
My Reasons for Riding:
I ride because I am not a chemist, or biologist and am not going to be able to find a cure for cancer. My role in this world therefore is to contribute to this fight in any way I can. My goal for my first PMC ride is to raise $5000 that will all go to the Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
By signing up to ride in the PMC, I am challenging myself to be pushed to new athletic and emotional limits; a small task compared to the long and emotional, treatment and recovery processes that cancer patients have to overcome.
My senior year in high school, my dad told me that someone very close to me had prostate cancer. It is not my place to share more about this diagnosis, other than he is okay right now. But anyone who has ever heard these words knows how scary it is.
It is now impossible to find someone who does not know another who has been affected by cancer. I have found that at school, when I inquire about an individual’s history, cancer is a common theme. While growing up, I had close family friends who had to deal with cancer. It surrounds each and every one of us no matter what stage of life we are in.
I am raising money for an organization that is bigger than me and other individuals. The Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are here to make POSITIVE impacts on cancer patients, their families, friends and acquaintances.
That is why I am riding.
Please help me help others. Donate here, even the smallest contribution can help the fight.
Sincerely,
Jessica Bishop
Dear Supporting Community,
Wow, what a year we had in 2023! It was my 10th year riding in the Pan Mass Challenge and you all helped me raise over $10,000, contributing to the whopping $72 Million total raised by the PMC for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute! I am back at it again for year 11 and as I am planning my summer around heading from Oakland California (my home since 2021) to Sturbridge Massachusetts to share in the amazing weekend that is the PMC, I cannot help but think of my favorite PMC slogan.
For those of you who don't know, the Pan Mass Challenge is a cycling fundraiser where people congregate from all over for one cause; to end cancer. Each year there is a new meaningful phrase that acts as inspiration and motivation for riders. This tradition started with 'Closer By The Mile' meaning, with each mile we ride and each dollar raised, we are closer to finding a cure for cancer.
As a kid, my sister, mom and I would join dad at the opening ceremonies of PMC weekend in Sturbridge MA. We would leave feeling sad about the impact that cancer has on so many, but hopeful, energized and excited because dad was part of a community that was doing something about it. I was always amazed that the number of cyclists would grow and grow each year. Billy Starr, the founder of the PMC, always had a section of the ceremony where he would announce the number of riders from each state and country, and number of riders in each age group. These moments stood out to me because all I could think was wow, these people are truly committed. I saw that commitment in the thousands of PMC volunteers; I saw it in my dad and his friends who sign up each year for another weekend of cycling 192 miles across Massachusetts; I saw it in my mom, grandparents and great uncle who drove hours from their homes to Bourne, MA to watch my dad and thousands of others cross the day one finish line. Conceptually I understood the commitment these amazing people were making but it didn't hit home until my second year when the PMC slogan was 'Commit, You'll Figure It Out'.
And holy cow have I figured it out! The PMC is a family. The event and the people make me feel love, friendship, gratitude and hope to end cancer. We are working towards a greater goal and the sense of hope and progress within the community is palapable. As I plan my travels east for the fourth year since moving to California, 'Commit, You'll Figure It Out' continues to evolve in meaning. I've committed to this family, to this cause, and I will continue to commit to travel over 3,000 miles to be part of this incredible cause.
Thank you for being on my rider page, and for reading about my journey with the PMC. From all of us PMC riders, we sincerely appreciate your support and donation to our ride and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
With Love,
Jess Bishop
Dear Friends, Family and Supporters,
2023, year 10 babyyyy!!! I cannot believe that this will be my 10th year riding the PMC! The PMC and Dana Farber Cancer Institute keep making a massive difference in people's lives and I am forever grateful to be part of this family that is fighting so hard to change the outcome of a cancer diagnosis.
For those of you who don't know, the PMC is a 192 mile bike ride across Massachusetts that raises money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. One of the reasons I love this event so much is because 100% of the rider raised dollars (your donations) goes directly to life saving cancer research.
I am writing to ask for donations for my 2023 ride with the goal of personally achieving $45,000 raised over the past 10 years. Of course, this would absolutely not be possible without all of you, your love, and support.
I ride for so many reasons, for so many people. Year after year there's never a question of whether I will ride again because the fight is not over. There's still more work to be done. Your support and donations make an incredible and positive impact on so many people's lives. Thank you so much!
Love,
Jess
Dear Friends and Family,
This year (2022) will be my 9th Pan Mass Challenge (PMC). For those of you who don’t know, the PMC is a road cycling event that raises money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. I will ride ~200 miles across Massachusetts the first weekend of August, with thousands of other riders. We dedicate our time and efforts to this event because we all have the same goal to raise critical funds that will hopefully help kick cancer's ass.
Throughout the weekend I pin to my jersey a list of names of people I am riding for and every year that list grows; it f***ing sucks and is heartbreaking. This year I will add the names of co-workers, classmates, and parents of some of my closest friends, all loved ones we have lost and those who are currently battling cancer.
Over the past 8 years I have raised $32,966, and my fundraising goal this year is an additional $6,000. Kicking cancer’s ass is not possible without the support of amazing people like you. If you’re interested in donating to my ride please do so here and know that one of the best parts of donating to the PMC is knowing that 100% of rider raised dollars go directly to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, making life-changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care, providing the most advanced treatments available.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support of my ride, the PMC and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I appreciate you <3
Link to donate: https://profile.pmc.org/jb0626
With love,
Jess Bishop
Dear Friends and Family
Last week my family biked our own route to raise money for PMC and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute; 192 miles in Upstate NY.
This year was my 8th, Natalie’s 7th and my dad’s 20th ride! Wow, I’m so proud of my dad for doing this for 20 years!!! Doing the 2021 PMC Reimagined ride presented a lot of “firsts” for us this year including mom joining for 136 of the 192 miles, specifically on a 60 mile day along the eastern coast of Lake Ontario as well as another 60 mile day up along the St. Lawrence river! I feel extremely fortunate to have done this year’s ride with my family and in our happy place.
As some of you know, I have been bopping around the US for most of the past year, but in June I made my way back to New York for a celebration of life of the dad of one of my dear college friends who recently lost his battle to cancer. (I have her permission to share this story) It was a beautiful celebration of life that took many shapes with a formal service and then celebration party with his friends and family and lots and lots of tie dye. There was a lot of crying but also laughing and wonderful stories being told. I took a lot away from the weekend, reaffirming the importance of friends and family, living life to the fullest, pursuing peace in all ways possible and continuing to work as hard as I can to contribute to the fight against cancer because too many of us say goodbye too soon.
Thank you so much for your support in the past, we really couldn’t do this without you. If you are interested in donating to my ride this year (even though we already biked), PMC accepts donations for a few more weeks and you can make a contribution on this page. Any amount helps because 100% of rider raised dollars goes directly to Dana Farber and the amazing doctors and professionals who are conducting groundbreaking research and providing state-of-the-art care.
With love, thanks, and gratitude,
Jess
#TeamBishop #TeamLickCancer
Ride on Baby
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2020
Dear Loved Ones,
It has been a weird year to say the least. I hope you and yours are staying as healthy and safe as possible. This email/message is coming later than normal because frankly, there are so many other things going on in the world that I have not had the heart to send a fundraising email. This past weekend I received news that changed that.
A dear friend from college was supposed to be spending this summer planning her beautiful, intimate and colorful wedding. Instead she has been spending most of her time with her father, now at his bedside, having been moved to hospice due to his second cancer diagnosis; wondering what will hit first, Covid-19 or cancer.
This week, my dad, sister and I are riding a reimagined PMC in upstate NY and pledge to complete the 192 miles. Even during these tough times, cancer won't slow down, so we dedicate our time and effort to fundraising with the other PMC riders to ultimately speed up the process of finding a cure and fighting back, entrusting Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) to do just that. For examples of how DFCI is on the forefront of cancer therapy research, check out these Impact videos from doctors at DFCI.
If you are interested in donating to my ride, please do so here. 100% of rider raised dollars goes directly to DFCI. Thank you for your support in prior years, we truly appreciate it.
With Love and Support,
Jessica
2019
Dear Friends, Family and Supporters,
This is my 6th PMC and yet again, I have another reason to ride this year.
In early June, a friend lost her year-long fight to cancer. If anyone could have beat cancer, I really believed it would be her, with her beautiful energy, unrelenting strength and unparalleled zest for life. When I heard the news, I knew where to channel my energy.
//
What I find so inspiring about the PMC is that 6,000+ riders and 4,000+ volunteers come together on one weekend a year to demonstrate what strength in numbers looks like, despite countless heartaches and loss. We are strong, and we will keep getting stronger.
Please consider joining the 10,000 PMC family members and donate to the PMC and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. 100% of rider-raised dollars/your contributions, go directly to fight. If you have any questions, please refer to the PMC fundraising info page (https://www.pmc.org/fundraising-info). My dad, sister and I have set a goal to raise a total of $15,000. Any amount helps us get one step closer to our family goal of $15,000 and to the 2019 PMC goal of $60 Million. We truly appreciate any contribution and will work extremely hard to keep showing monumental strength in numbers.
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2018
Dear Supporters,
This is a special year for me as a rider as I am celebrating my 5th year in the PMC!
This event is always a highlight of my year because it is a weekend that I dedicate, my family dedicates and the other 6,000 riders dedicate to fighting for a cure for cancer.
As I am preparing myself emotionally and physically for the weekend that lies ahead, I want to take a moment to thank all of my friends, family and suppoerters who have helped me to get to the PMC every year. Without you, we would not be able to make this a family event, and without your help and donations, Dana Farber would not be making the strides they are today.
Thank you for making this possible and thank you for helping change people's lives.
Love, Jess
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2017
2017 Post PMC Thoughts
During the opening ceremonies of this years PMC, Billy Start told a story about a rider who also runs the Boston Marathon. This rider says that during the marathon, supporters cheer you can do it. During the PMC supporters cheer thank you for saving lives. It is hard to describe the feelings you get on the first weekend in August when you are a part of the PMC community, but this riders thoughts have helped me to put those feelings into words. We work hard during the PMC and we work hard to raise money for the PMC becasue Dana Farber Cancer Institute is saving lives, and I cannot think of a better way to spend my time and energy. Ride on Baby <3
Dear Friends, Family and Supporters, (August 3, 2017)
This year I have been training in NYC. Ali (my biking buddy) and I stopped in Central Park during my last PMC training ride to take a few photos before the weekends big event! I will be riding 200 miles in 2 days raising money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Cancer sucks and I am raising money to ride and put an end to anyone having to hear the words you have cancer. The past few months I have been exposed to cancer in a different way. I recently moved to NYC and moved in with a friend of a friend. Jessica Young is now one of my wonderful friends, roommate and also happens to be a nurse in a cancer treatment hospital. She will come home and tell me about her day and all I can ask is how do you do it? How are you not crippled with sadness everyday? Her answer is that her patients give her a new perspective on life. If they can't leave the hospital, then she will live up her life for all of those who can't. I understand that because that is why I ride in the PMC. I ride for those who can't. I ride for those who have and can't any longer. I ride for those who have passed and I ride for the future because I strive for there to be a day when we no longer need to hear the dreaded words you have cancer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who have donated to this cause in some way or another.
This event is amazing because 100% of rider raised dollars goes to Dana Farber Cancer Institute so any donation makes a direct impact in someone's life. Thank you friends, family and an extra thank you to my training partner Ali Ware and to an additional inspiration Jessica Young and Helen Webb.
*Ride on Baby*
With Love, Jess
Dear Supporters,
PMC weekend is coming up soon and my mind cannot help but be flooded by images of my past three years riding. I would have guessed that my memory of 2014 would consit of rain, rain and more rain, memories from 2015 would consist of dehydrated riders, sun, heat and 2016 memories would consist of the support of my amazing team, Team Lick Cancer. Those are not the first images that come to my mind when I think about the PMC.
I see the children standing on the side of the road holding signs stating Survivor, or I'm here because of you. I see the back of riders jerseys that say I ride for my daughter who is battling Lukemia or I ride in memory of my dad. I see the bands and bagpipes of Cherry Lane, an entire road that plays music for hours, to encourage and thank the thousands of riders that raise money for the people that they know and love who are battling cancer.
I see THESE images, because these are the moments that motivate me to ride and are the memories that truly matter. I ride becasue the PMC is an organization the gives tremendous support to DFCI, the #2 provider of care for children with cancer. The PMC is here to help support the families, friends, and aquaintances who battle cancer in their lives one way or another.
Please consider donating to this amazing cause, and if you already have, I thank you. You are making a direct contribution to this ongoing battle.
We're Team Lick Cancer of the PMC, won't you come and ride with me
RIde on baby we're Team Lick, your donations do the trick
Ride on, baby, ride on, baby, ride on, baby wooooooooo!!!!!
Sincerely,
Jessica Bishop
PMC 2016
Dear Supporters,
It's that time of year again, that time of year when I ask for your help and support.
I ride in the PMC because the PMC makes a difference in the lives of thousands and thousands of people who have been affected by cancer in one way or another. On the first weekend in August, I will ride 190 miles, with hundreds of other bikers, from Sturbridge MA to Province Town MA in the hopes of gaining support for this incredible cause.
I am riding to protect, save, and help my friends, and family, and your friends and family. After my first ride last summer I wrote, as a rider, you are met by thousands of people, apparently rain or shine, lining the streets to cheer and thank you for the effort you put in to help the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Little kids standing on the side of the road holding out their hands wanting high-fives from riders, the clanking of pots and pans, the families that play music on stereos, people holding water bottles for riders, bag pipe players, and dancers, all seeming to be strategically placed to motivate you in a time of physical doubt. It was something that I have never experienced and honestly never imagined experiencing. As we rounded the last turn, both Saturday and Sunday, I could not help the tears that were pooling in my eyes. The feeling of accomplishment, gratitude and support were extremely overwhelming. I will remember those feelings for the rest of my life, and hopefully I will be able to make an impact in the years to come.
I am riding this year to make a repeating impact. I cannot wait to round those final corners with tears in my eyes thinking about how people have supported me and through that amazing act, how we have supported the cause to fight cancer.
This year, me, my dad and my sister will all be riding together and my mom and grandparents will be waiting for us at the finish line. The PMC has become a family affair because we want to make a difference in the world, and together, we are stronger.
Thank you for your support. You are making a difference. :)
Love, Jessica Bishop
Dear Supporters,
I have just successfully completed my first ever PMC ride and words cannot describe the adventure I had. We rode through 70 miles of heavy drizzle with a speck of sunlight and proceeded to be met by a torrential downpour for the rest of the 40 miles in our 110 mile day. Everyone kept saying it will get better-it's never like this and my remark back was always, what do you mean, I am absolutely loving this. I have nothing to compare it to and all of these people are still out on the streets supporting us!
As a rider, you are met by thousands of people, apparently rain or shine, lining the streets to cheer and thank you for the effort you put in to help the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Little kids standing on the side of the road holding out their hands wanting high-fives from riders, the clanking of pots and pans, the families that play music on stereos, people holding water bottles for riders, bag pipe players, and dancers, all seeming to be strategically placed to motivate you in a time of physical doubt. It was something that I have never experienced and honestly never imagined experiencing. As we rounded the last turn, both Saturday and Sunday, I could not help the tears that were pooling in my eyes. The feeling of accomplishment, gratitude and support were extremely overwhelming. I will remember those feelings for the rest of my life, and hopefully I will be able to make an impact in the years to come.
I would be remiss if I left out the thousands of riders who dedicate their time to this amazing cause. There are riders from all over the country and world, and no matter how different everyone is, all are there for the same reason. My dad describes it as the only place he has ever been that he can become friends with everyone that is there, and I absolutely felt the same way. This feeling undeniably lasted the entire weekend. We experience camaraderie, sadness, happiness, relief, accomplishment and everything you can think of, together. The most memorable moments I experienced with riders were the times I looked at jerseys or calves. Many people write the names of people they ride for. and the real tear jerker was when I saw countless people riding with Mom on one calf and Dad on the other. Ultimately, the array of emotions I encountered during the weekend is indescribable, and is consequently motivation to ride again.
Friday night during the opening ceremonies, my sister and I sat next to a woman named Molly. She was lovely and we were having conversations about the PMC and about school and the usual new friendship talk. When the ceremonies started, Billy Star, the founder of the PMC asked all cancer survivors or those going through treatment, to stand up. Molly was among the group that stood. This moment reminded me that Cancer affects everyone. We can't avoid it. We will be affected whether it's your grandparent, sibling, friend, relative, teammate, or the woman you sit next to at an opening ceremony. Cancer is unavoidable, but the PMC has taught me to COMMIT to the cause, and together we can make change.
Please support my ride below. Trust me, it's worth it!
Sincerely,
Jessica Bishop ( 1st year rider)
My Reasons for Riding:
I ride because I am not a chemist, or biologist and am not going to be able to find a cure for cancer. My role in this world therefore is to contribute to this fight in any way I can. My goal for my first PMC ride is to raise $5000 that will all go to the Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
By signing up to ride in the PMC, I am challenging myself to be pushed to new athletic and emotional limits; a small task compared to the long and emotional, treatment and recovery processes that cancer patients have to overcome.
My senior year in high school, my dad told me that someone very close to me had prostate cancer. It is not my place to share more about this diagnosis, other than he is okay right now. But anyone who has ever heard these words knows how scary it is.
It is now impossible to find someone who does not know another who has been affected by cancer. I have found that at school, when I inquire about an individual’s history, cancer is a common theme. While growing up, I had close family friends who had to deal with cancer. It surrounds each and every one of us no matter what stage of life we are in.
I am raising money for an organization that is bigger than me and other individuals. The Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are here to make POSITIVE impacts on cancer patients, their families, friends and acquaintances.
That is why I am riding.
Please help me help others. Donate here, even the smallest contribution can help the fight.
Sincerely,
Jessica Bishop
| 2025 | $0.00 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2024 | $6,664.15 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2023 | $11,441.39 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2022 | $6,055.00 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2021 | $2,000.00 | Reimagined |
| 2020 | $1,990.00 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2019 | $5,000.00 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2018 | $4,900.00 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2017 | $4,800.00 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2016 | $4,525.00 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2015 | $4,500.00 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2014 | $5,251.46 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Monument (2-Day) |
