Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Receives Largest Gift Ever, a Record-Breaking $63 Million

100 percent of dollars raised by Pan-Mass Challenge riders to further advancements in cancer research and treatment

October 21, 2019

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research, today received its largest financial gift ever, $63 million, from the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC). The PMC is the nation's most successful single-event athletic fundraiser and donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar to Dana-Farber. The PMC is the largest single contributor to Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund, accounting for more than 55 percent of the Jimmy Fund's revenue. Since 1980, the PMC has raised more than $717 million for Dana-Farber, making an exceptional impact on life-saving cancer research and patient care at the institute.

PMC funding has enabled Dana-Farber to make major strides towards a cure, including leadership in the development of 41 of 100 new FDA-approved cancer drugs and uncovering new techniques for targeting individual cancer-causing mutations through precision medicine. Dana-Farber is the only hospital ranked in the top 5 for both adult and pediatric cancer by U.S. News and World Report.

When the PMC started in 1980, there were fewer than five million cancer survivors in the world, yet today, there are more than 17 million, a result of the advancements in treatment and research — many of which were developed at Dana-Farber and are made possible by the tremendous efforts of tens of thousands of everyday people who fundraise in events like the PMC each year.

"I am extremely grateful for the generous support received from the Pan-Mass Challenge community over the last 40 years and am truly honored to cycle alongside dedicated riders, volunteers and supporters each August," said Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber. "Raising $63 million in one year is an incredible feat, and this record-breaking gift will make an immense impact on our work in the fight against cancer."

More than 6,800 riders and 4,000 volunteers participated in the 40^th PMC on August 3 and 4, 2019, pedaling up to 192 miles over 12 routes, 47 towns and 360 miles across central and Eastern Massachusetts, including more than 150 Dana-Farber employees, many of whom fundraise to support their own research initiatives and clinical trials.

"Making our largest gift ever to Dana-Farber is the best way to commemorate our milestone 40^th ride," said PMC founder and executive director Billy Starr. "I'm incredibly proud of the role the PMC has played in furthering advancements in cancer research and treatment over the last four decades — it is thanks to the drive and commitment of our entire community of riders, volunteers, sponsors and donors that we have been able to give $717 million to Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund since 1980, making a truly unparalleled impact in the fight against cancer."

The PMC is presented by New Balance and the Red Sox Foundation. In addition, more than 200 corporate sponsors support the event by providing more than $7 million in essential funds, products and services each year. The 41^st PMC will be held on August 1 and 2, 2020. For more information or to make a financial contribution to a rider, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Connect with #PMC2020 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.