30 Years in 30 Weeks -- 2004

In honor of the 30th anniversary Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, the PMC blog will take you on a ride through history. Today we continue 30 years in 30 weeks with a look back at the PMC in 2004. We'll coast through the event's history, featuring a new year each week, as we lead up to the 30th annual ride on Aug. 1 and 2. Check out past 30 Years in 30 weeks posts here. Send your PMC story to Stephanie@teakmedia.com

30 years in 30 weeks

2004

2004 marked the 25th annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge. Coincidentally, it was also the same year the Red Sox won the World Series after 86 painful years. Maybe having the PMC 25th anniversary logo on the Green Monster for six weeks of the baseball season had something to do with the team's success? The PMC celebrated its own success in 2004, donating $20 million to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute thanks to more than 3,700 riders and 2,200 volunteers. That record breaking donation was 20 percent more than the year before and was twice as much ever contributed to a charity by an athletic fundraiser in the country. More than 1,000 members of the PMC community celebrated at a beautiful 25th anniversary gala, held at the then brand new Boston Convention and Expo Center, where the $20 million donation was unveiled and presented to Dana-Farber. Guests also had the chance to have their photo taken with the Red Sox World Series trophy. "The evening was memorable – like the event itself," said PMC founder Billy Starr said in 2004. "It was very poignant for many people, particularly those who have lost loved ones to cancer. It is overwhelming when you understand the impact this kind of money might have on accelerating the cures for cancer." Starr also received his own honor at the 25th anniversary celebration when Dr. Edward Benz, DFCI president, awarded Starr the Sidney Farber Medical Research Award. The award recognizes those who make an exceptional contribution philanthropically, scientifically, or legislatively to reduce the burden of cancer on society. In receiving the award, Starr joined prestigious honorees Sen. Edward Kennedy and the Boston Red Sox.

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