Cancer Survivors Puts a New Spin on Fundraising for the PMC this Year

On Dec. 30, 2007, after watching her father battle leukemia for two years, Heather Hobler, 53, of Mattapoisett, lost him to the disease. Within a month, she was diagnosed with cancer herself. Hobler was grieving her father as she was dealing with her own treatments for a rare form of breast cancer. As a widow and mother determined to remain strong, she needed an outlet to channel her emotions.

Within weeks of her diagnosis, Hobler underwent a mastectomy followed by a year of reconstructive surgeries. She was lucky in that she did not require chemotherapy or radiation. The night of her last visit to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for treatment, she saw TV news coverage of the Pan-Mass Challenge check presentation, an event that celebrates the millions of dollars raised by PMC riders and supporters each year to fund adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber through the Jimmy Fund. When Hobler learned the mission of the PMC, and saw the faces behind the organization, she knew she had found what she was looking for. She registered to ride in the annual bike-a-thon the day she endured her last surgery.

In 2009 as she began to train for the 190 mile ride as a cancer patient, Hobler knew she needed help communicating to people what she was doing in order to fundraise. She started formydadandforme, a blog where she documents her relationship with her father, her cancer experience and the miles and dollars she has accumulated over the last four years for the PMC. Her motivation to ride and raise money for the cause is simple. She wants to honor the drive to fight cancer she and her father shared.

“PMC weekend is the most empowering and amazing experience I have ever had,” says Hobler. “It’s possible to weep, smile and bicycle at the same time. I cried the entire 190 miles my first year riding and felt an incredible sense of support from other riders, volunteers and spectators along the route. I am fully aware and heartened by all those who have supported me up to getting on my bike.”

On Aug. 2 and 3, Hobler will ride in what will be her fifth PMC experience. Although she is no stranger to the cause, this will be her first year riding with a teammate, Henry Gleason, the son of a close friend who met Hobler along the route last year and was inspired to join her ride this year. Hobler hopes to become a four-time PMC Heavy Hitter, a rider who raises $6,900 or more. To date, she has raised more than $30,700.

“My goal this year is the up the ante with my PMC fundraising campaign in order to show people how invested I am in the event and its mission,” says Hobler. “My doctor once told me that cancer is common and compared it to the common cold. Watching my father battle cancer and then experiencing the disease first-hand reminded me that life is a gift. I am committed to riding in the PMC to help save more lives in the future.”

To register to ride in the 35th annual Pan-Mass Challenge, which is set for Aug. 2 and 3, or to support Heather Hobler or another PMC cyclist, visit www.pmc.org.