November 8, 2005
Pan-Massachusetts Challenge cyclists raise $23 million for the Jimmy
Fund
PMC founder Billy Starr (left) hands President Benz the $23 million dollar event check.
The Jimmy Fund received its largest single gift ever this past weekend when Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC), handed Dana-Farber President Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, a check for $23 million during a celebratory brunch held at The Conference Center at Harvard Medical School.
Raised by nearly 4,000 cyclists — including Dana-Farber staff, patients, and family members — who pedaled up to 192 miles in the 26th annual ride in August, the record-breaking amount represents 99 cents of every rider-raised dollar going directly to research and patient care. The total is also $2 million more than the PMC set as its goal for the year. The amount is the largest gift ever raised by any athletic fundraising event.
"When they write the book about curing cancer, I expect Dana-Farber to be in chapter one because you've helped us get there," Benz told the crowd gathered at the Nov. 5 event. "I want to add my thanks to the thanks of millions of people who will benefit because of what you've done."
While many initially join the PMC ranks for the athletic challenge and its reputation as a beautiful, well-supported ride, Starr believes people stay involved because they become committed to the cause. The Pan-Mass Challenge has a 70 percent rider retention rate, and its cyclists come from 30 states and six countries to ride in the weekend event. In addition, 2,200 volunteers help at various stages of the effort.
"PMCers are driven to raise money for cancer research and take pride in the progress made at Dana-Farber as a result of their efforts," said Starr, also a Dana-Farber trustee. "True to our mission statement, we strive to inspire more proponents of our cause and intend to continue to supply the necessary resources to help Dana-Farber doctors and researchers find the cures for all cancers. We will beat this disease one mile at a time," he added.
PMC founder and Executive Director Billy Starr with some of the children who participated in this year's "Kids Rides Program," a growing component of the Pan-Mass Challenge
Starr also recognized this year's youngest and oldest participants. More than 1,600 children took part in the PMC's "Kids Rides Program" — a growing component of the Pan-Mass Challenge efforts – and a few representatives were on hand to present a check for $137,463. In addition, four members of the venerable "Cyclopaths" team — Bill Cantor, Sam Zoll, Av Hammer, and Sheldon Brown — were honored for being the oldest riders in the PMC and "always upbeat, faithful and dogged in their goal," according to Starr.
In addition to the help of more than 200 in-kind sponsors who supplied more than $1 million worth of goods and services, the 2005 PMC was presented by the Boston Red Sox and Overstock.com, with MFS Investment Management and New England Cable News also serving as sponsors.
The 2006 Pan-Mass Challenge is scheduled to be held on Aug. 5 and 6 and will feature eight route options. For more information, visit www.pmc.org or call (781) 449-5300.
