November 8, 2003
Pan-Mass Challenge Presents $16.2 Million to the Jimmy Fund
Largest Gift Ever Generated by an Athletic Fundraising Event
(From left to right) Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, Billy Starr, and Larry Lucchino celebrate another record-breaking PMC.
The pedaling power of 3,600 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) cyclists who rode up to 192 miles last August has generated the largest charitable donation made by an athletic fundraising event in the United States.
Three thousand PMC cyclists, volunteers, and donors gathered on the field at Fenway Park today to learn their efforts resulted in a $16.2 million contribution to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr presented the $16.2 million to Dana-Farber President Edward J. Benz Jr. M.D., while standing on first base. The Boston Red Sox sponsor the PMC.
The gift brings the PMC's 24-year total Jimmy Fund contribution to more than $102 million, funds that have helped Dana-Farber researchers develop better treatments for those facing cancer around the world. "Thank you from the generations of patients who won't have to worry about cancer because of what you're doing," Benz said to the crowd of cyclists and fundraisers.
This year's contribution is $1.2 million more than the PMC cyclists raised in 2002 — a 6.5 percent fundraising increase realized in the same week that 400 of the nation's largest charities reported a 1.2 percent drop in funds raised.
"The name of the Boston Red Sox is often invoked to serve as a metaphor for passion, loyalty, temperance and the vagaries of life — and such is the case with the PMC," Starr said. "We pedal up each hill, we get closer by the mile, but curing cancer remains in the distance. Still, I don't hear many regrets, instead I often hear people say they appreciate the opportunity to make a difference, and together we surely do."
The $16.2 million sum represents 95 percent of all rider-raised funds. This organizational efficiency of the PMC, coupled with the ever-increasing size of its Jimmy Fund contribution, is fostering the PMC's reputation as the most successful athletic fundraising event in the nation. The PMC annually raises two and three-times as much money as the nation's largest pledged-based events.
In keeping with the PMC's 24-year tradition, PMC cyclists did not know how much money their collective efforts raised until today's ceremony. Huge "K cards" were held high above the Green Monster to announce the total sum. Event attendees celebrated by taking their best swings in the Red Sox batting cages, touring the park, and meeting Red Sox legends Frank Malzone and Bob Montgomery. The ceremony marked the successful end to the first of the Boston Red Sox' two-year, $1.4 million, presenting sponsorship of the PMC. "We, the Red Sox, had a very good year in 2003. You, the PMC, had a great year in 2003. Congratulations for everyone's success - the Red Sox are proud to be a part of this," said Red Sox President Larry Lucchino.
The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge
The PMC, presented by the Boston Red Sox, is the nation's first fundraising bike-a-thon and today raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country. On August 2 and 3, 2003, nearly 3,600 cyclists traveled six different routes, logging between 89 and 192 miles over one or two days, through 43 scenic Massachusetts towns from Sturbridge and Wellesley to Bourne and Provincetown. The 25th annual PMC is set for August 7 and 8, 2004. For more information about the PMC, call 800-WE-CYCLE or visit www.pmc.org.
