Organization Greatly Exceeds Fundraising Goal, Bringing 39-Year Total to $654 Million in Support of Critical Advancements in Cancer Research and Treatment
The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) announced the largest gift ever contributed by an organization to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dana-Farber) – a record-breaking $56 million raised in 2018 that will support adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research. The reveal was made at an intimate brunch event celebrating the thousands of riders, volunteers and corporate partners that contributed. The organization exceeded last year's contribution by a staggering $5 million and, since its inception in 1980, has raised a total of $654 million for the world-renowned cancer institute.
As Dana-Farber's largest contributor, the PMC accounts for 54 percent of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue. These dollars play an integral role in the institute's unprecedented advancements in cancer research, treatment and care, and more than 150 Dana-Farber employees participate as riders and volunteers, fundraising to support their own research initiatives and clinical trials. The PMC continues to lead the a-thon industry it pioneered, with this year's gift more than doubling dollars raised by the next largest cycling event.
"The impact of the PMC community is truly unparalleled. The magnitude of a $56 million gift raised by 10,000 PMC riders and volunteers is obvious to anyone who funds cancer research," said Billy Starr, PMC founder and executive director. "For 39 years, we've increased our fundraising goals and each year the dedication of an ever-expanding PMC family exceeds even our highest expectations. 2018 is no exception – this year's gift will further enable Dana-Farber's global advancements in cancer research, care and treatment."
On August 4 and 5, 2018, the PMC united 6,400 cyclists ranging in age from 13 to 85 with the common goal of raising this year's monumental gift. Designed to cater to all levels of cycling and fundraising abilities, the PMC offers riders the choice of 12 routes of varying distance, ranging from 25 miles all the way up to the hallmark, two-day 192-mile ride that the organization is most known for. Many ride in honor of a family member or friend lost to, or being treated for, cancer, as 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. At the cornerstone of the PMC community are the more than 900 PMC riders and volunteers that are cancer survivors or current patients, considered "Living Proof" of the PMC spirit and mission to find a cure.
"I am honored to be a part of the PMC family and am in awe of how participants continue to push themselves and increase their contributions to PMC and Dana-Farber," said Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber. "We're particularly grateful for this year's astounding $56 million gift which is vital to our ongoing work. The PMC plays a very important role in Dana-Farber's fight against cancer by providing critical funds to sustain our mission and empowering groundbreaking work across our laboratories and clinics. The funds raised enable Dana-Farber to invest in bold research that leads to discovering better cancer treatments through drug development and provide the very best patient care."
