My Pan Mass Challenge story began twenty six years ago, in the spring of 1993. I read about the PMC on a bulletin board at Children's Hospital, where I was visiting Zachary Crawford, infant son of my dear friends Linda and David. Zachary was born in February 1993, with an extra renal rhabdoid tumor and was being treated at the Dana Farber's Jimmy Fund Clinic. Already an avid long distance cyclist, I had heard of the PMC, but had no idea it was a benefit for the Jimmy Fund. Once I made the connection, I signed up immediately, determined to do whatever I could to raise money for an organization that was doing so much for Zachary and the Crawfords. Zachary lost his battle with cancer on July 13, 1993. I rode in my first Pan Mass Challenge 3 weeks later.

At that point, I never knew how much more personal the PMC would become for me. In April 2001, my world was turned upside down when I lost my mother, Priscilla. PMC 2001 was particularly emotional for me; as sad as I was, I knew my mother would be proud that I continued to ride, and her inspiration keeps me riding year after year.

Cancer has visited my extended family many other times over the years; I've lost my uncles, an aunt, a grandmother, and most recently, in 2018, my brother-in-law. Another brother-in-law is doing very well this year in his own cancer fight. My cousin Priscilla (named for my Mom) is a many year cancer survivor, most certainly a beneficiary of the research that the PMC funds.

Since my first PMC, in addition to Zachary and my Mom and family members, many other people in my life and my friends' lives, have been touched by cancer and I ride for all of them, in memory of those who lost their fight and honor of those who have conquered cancer or are still struggling with it. I've raised approximately $132,000 since 1993. In 1993, I joined 1300 other riders in raising $2.3 million for the Jimmy Fund. This year, I'll take to the bike with over 5,000 riders with a collective goal of raising $60 million! And if history is any indicator, the Pan Mass Challenge will meet and exceed the goal, bringing the grand total raised by the PMC in 40 years to over $700 million! 100% of every dollar raised by riders is donated to charity - 100%! That is unprecedented, and another reason I continue to ride. I am proud to ride with Team LungStrong for the sixth year in a row, raising funds for the Lowe Center of Thoracic Oncology at the Dana Farber, in memory of my mother, whose cancer started in her lungs.

The PMC has become a way of life for me. Anyone who rides it will tell you that it is far more than just a bike ride. It is a collective energy of hope, giving and healing, one that I can't imagine not being a part of. Every person who gets on a bike that weekend does so for their own reasons, and during PMC weekend all of our personal motivations become one as we hit the road and start the long weekend of pedaling. It's hard to summarize the Pan Mass Challenge in a short piece - I could write volumes. Suffice it to say that the spirit of the PMC lives in each rider and each volunteer year-round, and comes together in a most extraordinary way the first weekend of August each year.

Thank you for reading my story. If you have any questions, please email me. If you'd like to sponsor me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. An e-gift link is on this page which will enable you to donate with a credit card online, or let me know at marycamp46@comcast.net and I can send you a pledge form and envelope. (Checks can be made payable to PMC.)

Most of all I ask for your prayers and positive thoughts for all of the PMC riders on the weekend of August 3-4. And watch for us on Channel 4 - they'll be covering the event all weekend long!

With appreciation and love,

Mary

PS - annual fundraising party not yet planned -stay tuned!