Nine years ago, Steven Schatzkin, 55, of Tyngsboro, Mass., had one goal in mind, to ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge. This year marks his sixth ride, ninth year supporting the cause, and Schatzkin has no plans to hit the brakes.
Schatzkin was originally inspired to participate in the annual bike-a-thon while being treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2005, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma after noticing a sharp pain in his right arm. As a husband, and father of two, Schatzkin endured six months of chemotherapy regiments at Emerson Hospital. Four months later, a checkup revealed the cancer had returned and required a stem cell transplant at Dana-Farber, and six months of recovery. Too sick to ride, for three years Schatzkin participated in the PMC as a virtual rider, raising more than $1,000 for cancer research from his hospital bed.
In 2005, while undergoing treatment for his second cancer diagnosis, Schatzkin never gave up on his dream to eventually ride. He kept an exercise bike in his hospital room and refused to go a day without hopping on the saddle. “I felt as though I was beating the cancer with that bike,” says Schatzkin. In 2006, Schatzkin triumphed over his second battle with cancer.
In 2009, Schatzkin rode for the first time in the PMC. The novice cyclist pedaled the one-day 50-mile PMC route from Wellesley to Wellesley and raised more than $3,000.
While at Dana-Farber for his final checkup, in March 2011, Arnie Freedman, Schatzkin’s doctor, recruited him to join his PMC team, Team flames, and ride the two-day Wellesley to Provincetown PMC route. “You can’t say no to the man that saved your life,” Schatzkin joked, joining without hesitation. The team also gave Schatzkin the opportunity to ride alongside his former Dana-Farber nurse, Kathleen McDermott.
Team Flames was established in 2001 and is made up of 51 PMC cyclists representing Dana-Farber doctors, nurses, and patients. In the last 14 years, the team has raised more than $3 million for Dana-Farber. This year, the team will dedicate their ride to their 2014 PMC Pedal PartnerJack Grutchfield, 2, of Leominster. Grutchfield was diagnosed with leukemia and is being treated at Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic. The PMC Pedal Partner Program, now in its 14th year, matches Jimmy Fund Clinic patients with teams of PMC cyclists who ride the August event in their honor. In June, the team participated in its own Pedal Partner ride. “The pedal partner ride is just one of the awesome things that goes on within our team for the PMC,” says Schatzkin. “We rode to Jack’s house, brought him presents and cookies, drew on the sidewalk with him and provided support for Jack and his family. Our Pedal Partner ride really brings the team closer and helps boosts morale for the big day.”
Schatzkin’s motivation behind riding goes far beyond his cancer battle. “Being a two-time cancer survivor is only a small side of what I ride for,” says Schatzkin. “Everyone should have a second chance at life and the promise of tomorrow. I ride to keep the memories alive for all who we have lost.” Schatzkin rides with more than 30 ribbons on his bike. Each ribbon honors the memory and battle of those he and loved ones have lost to cancer. They range in age from six to 71 and provide Schatzkin the courage he needs to get through each ride. “My story is less about my battle and more about the spirits that are with me when I ride,” he says. “I feel them with me as I ride.”
On Aug. 2 and 3, Schatzkin will be among more than 5,700 cyclists who will participate in the 35th annual event to raise $40 million to support adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber through the Jimmy Fund. He will embark on the two-day 190-mile PMC route from Sturbridge to Provincetown and looks forward to crossing the finish line. “When I cross that finish line I have a tear of sorrow, joy and hope,” says Schatzkin.
“As a survivor, you become a source of strength for all who are fighting,” he says. “The PMC is really about paying it forward and giving the gift of life to someone else. The end goal is to put cancer out of business.”
To learn more about the 35th annual Pan-Mass Challenge, which is set for Aug. 2 and 3, or to support Steven Schatzkin or another PMC cyclist, visit www.pmc.org.
Steven Schatzkin at the 2013 Provincetown Inn Finish Line.
Post courtesy of Allison at Teak Media + Communication
