Photo by Lester Smith
Two riders prepare to set out from Suffield on August 4, a day early for the PMC Challenge; they’re pictured with two old friends. The riders are Patrick McMahon, left, who rode only as far as Sturbridge, Mass., the official PMC start, and Chris Nikolis. Between them are cancer survivor Suzanne Slovic from Rocky Hill, who rides partway each year when she can, and Chick Steedman from Pasadena, Calif., who has completed the whole challenge with Chris in previous years. Another Suffield rider who completed this year’s challenge along with Chris, but didn’t start from Suffield, is John Gracey.
On August 5 and 6, Christos Nikolis and John Gracey of Suffield cycled 186 miles in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), Sturbridge to Provincetown, with the goal of raising $48 million for critical research and cancer care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
During PMC weekend, more than 6,200 cyclists from more than 40 states and eight countries returned to Massachusetts to participate in the PMC, choosing from 12 routes of varying mileage that run through 46 towns. Cyclists were anywhere between 15 and 84 years-old and ranged from seasoned triathletes to weekend warriors who trained for this event alone and everything in between. The fundraising goal was $48 million.
Many riders participate in the PMC to honor a family member or friend lost to, or being treated for, cancer. More than 600 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or current patients, considered “Living Proof” of the PMC mission to find a cure.
Since 1980, the PMC has raised $547 million dollars for Dana-Farber through the Jimmy Fund, its fundraising arm. In fact, the PMC is Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor, raising more than 52 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue.
The PMC is presented by the Red Sox Foundation and New Balance. To make a financial contribution to a rider from your town or become a virtual rider, visit www.pmc.org, or call 800-WE-CYCLE. Connect with #PanMass2017 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.