Two years brought the loss of a very important person in my family’s life. Many others lives have been lost or severely affected this year alone, but others in all of our memories have either been lost or affected irreparably by cancer.

I am donating my time to register riders in Wellesly for my family and friends and for your family and friends. As you know, my MS limits my mobility so riding is not likely.

The Pan-Mass Challenge is an annual bike-a-thon and a pioneer of the athletic fundraising industry that today raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country. The organization was founded in 1980 and has since raised more than $500 million for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. The PMC is a model of fundraising efficiency. In 2018, PMC riders raised and contributed $56 million to Dana-Farber, the largest sum ever raised by a single athletic fundraising event. The PMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause. In 2018, the PMC generated 60 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue and it was Dana-Farber’s single largest contributor. Over 230,000 individual contributions were made to last year’s fundraising campaign.

I am registered as a virtual rider this year. I expect to either volunteer, or perhaps ride part of the route on my recumbent trike, due to my Multiple Sclerosis mobility issues. Remembering so many people in my life and my family’s life affected by cancer got me up the hills and across the many miles!

Many have already given, many have not and this is an opportunity to help those affected by cancer even more. It’s a tough year for many, but not as difficult as it is for family and friends of people affected by this terrible disease,but I ask you to dig deep.

Sincerely,

Jim Cinamon