Robert Goodman's Ride
Why I Ride ...
It has been a little over a year since my mom, Joyce Goodman, passed away from cancer. As anyone who has lost a loved one knows, they’re always on your mind. For me this is especially true as I get ready for my 10th Pan Mass Challenge" an event that I originally rode in to honor my mom’s first battle with cancer. These past 9 years have been a mixed bag having lost numerous friends and family members to cancer, yet seeing my now 9 year old cousin Ari join the ranks as a survivor. During this time, you’ve helped me raise an astounding $187,949 for cancer research and treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. How incredible has your support been? In 2009, you helped me raise $35,671 to become the 33rd highest fundraiser out of 4,937 riders.
Cancer may have taken my mom’s life last year, but it hasn’t dampened my drive to help fund a cure.
As I ride the 192 miles of the Pan Mass Challenge on August 7th and 8th along with my brother-in-law Mark Feldman, I’ll no doubt be thinking of those that bravely lost their battle to cancer: my mom, my Uncle Joe Silberman, my cousin Richard Goldstein, friends Renuka Murthy, Sybil Reeves, Larry Shapiro, and Barbara Krouner. I also ride in honor of my cousin Ari, mother-in-law Nancy Grodin, and cousin Lisa.
It won’t be easy, but I’d like to raise another $25,000 this year.
Why donate to the Pan Mass Challenge? All donations go directly to the Jimmy Fund which “supports the fight against cancer in children and adults at
We had the opportunity to visit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute late last year, and I was blown away. It’s an amazing facility that is anything but dark and dreary like most hospitals. It is a warm & upbeat environment that is focused on making the patients feel that their needs come first. It was great to see what all the money you’ve donated has gone for ��" from the state of the art patient care rooms, to the research labs that are finding cancer breakthroughs at a steady pace. Dana Farber has been in the news recently with some important breakthroughs: June 2010, Dana-Farber researchers have found a way to disable a common protein that often thwarts chemotherapy treatment of several major forms of cancer. April 2010, Dana Farber leads the patient trial for the recently approved prostrate cancer vaccine, Provenge. January 2010, Dana Farber doctors discover genes linked to breast tumors resistant to commonly used chemotherapy drugs could be treated instead with more effective therapies.
If you choose to contribute, the easiest way is online with a credit card via the PMC website http://www.pmc.org/profile/RG0077 select Donate to My Ride then follow the instructions to make a 100% secure contribution. Online, you can also choose to make your donation a tribute to someone. If you prefer, your tax deductible check can be made payable to PMC/Jimmy Fund, and sent to me:
If you choose to donate, as I hope you will, donations can be accepted until the end of October.
Rob Goodman
I have no doubt, that the millions of dollars that have been raised for cancer research helped extend her life beyond even what her doctors thought possible. I have seen firsthand the promising results of new cancer drugs and treatments that would not have been possible without your support of this cause. This difficult time is not without some joy, for as I send this letter, my 8 year old cousin Ari is in the final days of his three and a half years of treatment for Leukemia. As I ride the 192 miles of the Pan Mass Challenge, along with my brother-in-law Mark Feldman, to raise money for cancer research, I’ll honor the memory of my mom, my Uncle Joey, my cousin Richard Goldstein, and friends Renuka Murthy, Sybil Reeves, Larry Shapiro, and Barbara Krouner. I also ride in honor of my cousin Ari, mother-in-law Nancy Grodin, cousin Lisa. $152,652 That’s the dollar amount you’ve helped me raise over the past 8 years, including $32,231 for last years ride! Despite the down economy, this year I hope to raise at least $28,000. Why donate to the Pan Mass Challenge? All donations go directly to the Jimmy Fund which “supports the fight against cancer in children and adults at If you choose to contribute, your tax deductible check can be made payable to PMC/Jimmy Fund, or you can fill out the appropriate credit card information on the enclosed donation form. If you do choose to contribute, you might want to check if your company matches charitable donations. Please send your donation to me at: If you choose to donate, as I hope you will, donations can be accepted until the end of October. For 2009, we mourn the loss of my Mom, and look forward to a cancer free life for my cousin Ari. For the past 7 years, the first weekend in August has meant one thing for me - the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC). And the PMC has always stood for one thing - raising as much money as possible to help fund a cure for cancer. I started ridding the 192 miles of the Pan Mass Challenge in 2001 to honor my Mom's successful battle with breast cancer. Being able to spend that weekend with her, to celebrate her remission, is the highlight of my year. Last year's PMC took on a different meaning and purpose, as my Mom was re-diagnosed with cancer 2 months before. Because of her treatment, she wasn't able to attend last year, but has made it her mission to be back there this year - even having her chemotherapy appointments scheduled around it. For those that have been lucky enough to never have a loved one go through this - treatment is downright brutal. Despite the 8 hour chemotherapy appointments sometimes three days in a row, countless scans, tests, surgeries, hospitalizations (Fathers day most recently) and constant side effects - my Mom continues to lead her life and spend as much time with her family and friends as possible. This year has also been tough because we lost an incredible person in January- my Uncle Joey, who courageously battled pancreatic cancer for 4 years. Joe Cool they called him - and he really was. I'll forever remember my Mom, fighting cancer herself, speaking at his funeral. I also ride in honor of my 6 year old cousin Ari, cousin Lisa, and in memory of my cousin Richard Goldstein, Mother-in-Law Nancy Grodin, friends Renuka Murthy, Sybil Reeves, Larry Shapiro, Barbara Krouner and countless others. $120,422 That's the dollar amount you've helped me raise over the past 7 years, including $30,342 for last years ride! This year I hope to raise at least $28,000. Last year I was awarded with a silver lifetime recognition award for raising $100k+. (only 200 have been awarded a Silver, Gold or Platinum award in the 27 year history of the PMC) This award really belongs to each of you. Why donate to the Pan Mass Challenge? All donations go directly to the Jimmy Fund which "supports the fight against cancer in children and adults at If you choose to contribute the easiest way is online with a credit card via the PMC website - https://www.pmc.org/egifts/giftinfo.asp?eGiftID=RG0077, then follow the instructions to make a 100% secure contribution (my rider number is RG0077). Online, you can also choose to make your donation a tribute to someone. If you prefer, your tax deductible check can be made payable to PMC/Jimmy Fund, and sent to me: I've attached a few pictures to give you an idea of what PMC weekend is all about. My family and I thank you in advance for supporting me as I ride for my Mom and the countless others effected by cancer. In sincere gratitude - Rob Goodman ........................
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2008
Review of past years rides:
2007, I rode for my Mom, who was diagnosed with cancer for the 2nd time. I also rode in Honor of my friend's wife Mary McCauley and in memory of Barbara Krouner.
2006, I rode for my 5 year old cousin Ari who was diagnosed with Leukemia.
2005, I rode for my mother in law Nancy - a breast cancer survivor, like my mother Joyce.
2004, my Uncle Joey and Cousin Lisa were both diagnosed with cancer. The ride was incredibly emotional, knowing that they were both undergoing chemotherapy at the time.
2003, marked another tough year. Sybil Reeves, the woman who helped raise me, passed away after a short battle with cancer. I spent Thanksgiving day at her hospital bed side, a week before she passed. 2003 was also the year Lary Shapiro, a very close family friend was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, and subsquently he passed away.
2002, I rode in honor of Renuka Murthy, who passed away way too young from cancer. Her husband Vijay is a friend and former co-worker. Their six year old son Alok, plans to take part in the Kids PMC rides this summer.
2001, I rode in honor of my mother, a breast cancer survivor. The ride happened to fall a day after her birthday, and it seemed like a great present for her. Since then, its turned into the highlight of my and my families year.
Robert's PMC Total
$23,493.01
Goal
$30,000
My Progress
My Online Supporters
| I have chosen to keep all of my donors' information confidential; therefore it is not displayed on my PMC public donor list. |
My Rides
| 2010 | $23,493.01 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2009 | $35,671 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2008 | $32,231 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2007 | $30,342 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2006 | $21,195.5 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2005 | $20,465 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2004 | $20,117 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2003 | $14,275 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2002 | $9,059 | Wellesley to Provincetown Inn (2-Day) |
| 2001 | $4,568 | Wellesley to Bourne (1-Day, Sat) |
