Twenty years ago. two friends decided to ride the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) because -- why not. It looked like fun, encompassed a physical challenge and was for a good cause. Fast forward twenty years, The Biker’s Dozen is a compassionate, dedicated bike team consisting of 33 riders – including 15 “second generation riders,” the children of the original riders. Click here to see a blog post about our second-generation riders.
Sadly, we have all been impacted by cancer – losing a brother in his 20’s, a mother in her 30’s, a best friend in his 40’s. Cancer is a terrible disease that touches all of us.
Biker’s Dozen has raised over $4.5 million – which has been designated to support the research for two types of pediatric brain tumors, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas (DIPG) and Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytomas (PLGA) at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These funds have helped attract a level of scientific talent and a degree of focus on these diseases in the brain tumor research community that few thought possible. We chose to support this particular cancer because of a personal team loss and because this research only exists on private funding — there is no federal funding, no National Institute of Health funding and no pharmaceutical funding. Your dollars are having a huge impact and are making a difference.
Last year we had the most special addition to our team, Sabine – our PMC Pedal Partner. Sabine was diagnosed with Leukemia at 2 ½ years old. She underwent chemo treatment for 2 ½ years at Dana Farber – and she is now doing great thanks to the amazing staff, research, and treatment at Dana Farber! She represents the best reason we train, ride, and fundraise.
On August 3rd and 4th, 2024 The Biker's Dozen will ride 180 miles, in the PMC, one of the largest cancer fundraising events in the country. The Biker’s Dozen team members include veteran riders: Bruce Balder, Barry Coffman, Greg Boree, Marty Cole (in memoriam), Jon DuBois, Mark Fisher, Paul Gershkowitz, Andy Goodman, Scott Hefter, Dimitri Kavalieros, Nick Kavalieros, Ben Marsh, Alex Peselman, Peter Seresky, Steven Sisselman, Russell Stein and James Young as well as our second generation riders: Harrison Balder, Spencer Balder, Scott Coffman, Taylor Cohen, Carly Devereaux, Ross Esbrook, Chris Gates, Jake Greenstein, Jason Hefter, Ben Okonow, Mila Kavalieros , Jesse Kiel, Adam Mark, Jonathan Marsh, Sara Marsh, and Jaclyn Sisselman.
Since 1980, the PMC has contributed more than $970 million to cancer treatment and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. This year PMC will break the $1 Billion fundraising mark!.
To make an e-gift, click on the following link: https://profile.pmc.org/tn0032
You can also donate to an individual rider by name. Either way, our team will be credited with your contribution.
We truly appreciate any contributions you can make on our team's behalf. And if you have already given to a member of our team - Thank you !
The Biker's Dozen dedicates our ride to Marty Cole, Saul Gershkowitz, Steven Hefter, Ellie Kavalieros, Midge Lipkin, Joseph Marsh, & Phyllis Seresky.
Loved by many, missed by all.
Stay safe – The Biker’s Dozen
