2025

Last year I set out to ride PMC in honor of my brother Jim Adelson, who died unexpectedly the year before. Jim had been preparing to ride PMC for the 18th time; PMC was a big part of his life. While training I had so many fond memories of Jim and was also buoyed by the generous support of his donors, some of whom I’d never even met.

What I didn’t expect was how joyous and uplifting the ride was! The camaraderie of teammates and other riders, the great volunteers and spectators along the way, pride in our accomplishment, all for the great cause of supporting the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Now I am more committed than ever to continuing this tradition as long as I am able! I have again signed up for the Wellesley to Provincetown route, 162 miles over two days, the first weekend in August.

Cancer has touched the lives of everyone I know. My father, Bill Adelson, and my uncle, Sidney Ginsburg both had their lives cut short by cancer. At PMC’s pedal partner event last spring I witnessed both the devastation of pediatric cancers, and the strides made that have improved outcomes especially for this group.

My goals for this year are to continue the family legacy Jim started supporting the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, to increase my riding speed a bit so I can keep up with my Team Kinetic Karma teammates, and to build on my fundraising efforts for such a worthy cause.

For those who supported me last year, thank you and I hope you will do so again! If you are new to my outreach efforts, I hope you will consider contributing. The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country, more than $1 billion since 1980 and $75 million in 2024 alone! This success is the result of a lot of people riding for, and caring about, a cure. And because every penny matters, 100 percent of your donation goes to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

It’s a PMC tradition to wear the names of cancer victims and survivors, so tell me if there’s someone I should honor.

Thank you for your generous support!

Lisa

2024

I ride in memory of my father, Bill Adelson, who we lost to cancer at the age of 61, and also for my brother, Jim Adelson, a PMC rider for many years, who we lost suddenly last year at age 70.

I can think of no better way to remember Jim than to carry on with the Pan Mass Challenge that meant so much to him, and so I have decided to ride this year, joining Jim’s Team Kinetic Karma (TKK) and long time team member, cousin Dan Ginsburg. I will take the route that Jim intended to ride last year – the Wellesley to Provincetown route – a total of 162 miles over 2 days, August 3rd and 4th, 2024.

I am 68 years old and have never ridden this distance before; this is a daunting challenge for me! But I think it pales in comparison to the challenge of fighting cancer, something so many people face and not by choice. I always supported Jim in his rides and I hope you will support me!

100 percent of every dollar you donate will go to supporting cancer research. To see the remarkable results of PMC donations in this struggle against cancer, go to https://www.pmc.org/impact.

It’s a PMC tradition to wear the names of cancer victims and survivors, so tell me if there’s someone I should honor.

Thank you for your generous support!

Lisa