<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1500983526874120&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Back

Highlights from #PMC2014 Weekend

Published Date:   August 06, 2014

Topic:   PMC News

Rain Didn’t Dampen the PMC Spirit! 

Part I: Opening Ceremonies

Emotions ran high on Friday night as old and new friends united during the PMC’s Opening Ceremonies to commence PMC weekend at the Sturbridge Host Hotel. As riders, volunteers and supporters dined, mingled and posted selfies using #PMC2014, other volunteers and PMC staff worked hard to prep for the main event, an interactive live show hosted by PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr and WBZ-TV news anchor, Lisa Hughes, a veteran cyclist of the annual bike-a-thon. 

Susan Greene-Hellman, a 15-year PMC cyclist and veteran volunteer, shared her story of losing her first husband to cancer, forming Team Greene in his honor and her experience speaking at the 2000 PMC Opening Ceremonies.  Susan closed by giving a special match-making shout out to Billy and his wife, Meredith Beaton-Starr, the PMC’s stewardship and development coordinator, for successfully setting her up with her now husband, PMC SVP of Operations, David Hellman, who has been second in command at the PMC since 2000 and this spring helped to develop the new Pan-Mass Challenge app.  

Following in her mother’s tracks, Abigail Greene, Susan’s daughter, read her Saint Lawrence University college admission essay, which explained what the PMC means to her. She also thanked the Starrs for helping to shape her life, introducing her to both the concept of philanthropy through her experience participating in the PMC Kids Rides Program and her step-father, who has grown to become one of her best friends and supporters.  

Dr. Jay Bradner, a physician-scientist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical Center and a six-time PMC cyclist, shared how PMC funds are utilized to discover the next generation of targets for sarcoma and that he and his colleagues will move into a state-of-the-art chemistry lab at Dana-Farber, specifically designed for cancer drug discovery, in part thanks to the funds raised by PMCers.  

The show was simulcast to riders stationed at the official start at Babson College in Wellesley and aired live on CBS Boston, the PMC’s official media sponsor.  

Part II: Day 1

Early Saturday morning, thousands of PMC cyclists gathered at the Sturbridge and Wellesley starting lines to begin what would be more of a challenge than PMCers had expected, or experienced in any of these last 35 years. Despite the cold, wet and slippery road conditions, cyclists worked together to pedal the miles they committed to riding with smiles on their faces knowing that their efforts were helping to make a difference for current and future cancer patients worldwide. 

On Saturday morning, thousands of PMC cyclists took off from the official Sturbridge start. 

After refueling at the Dighton-Rehoboth lunch stop, teams of cyclists stopped to visit with PMC Pedal Partners under the superhero-themed tent in Lakeville. The stories, hugs and signs made by the pediatric cancer patients in treatment at Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic and their families were just the inspiration cyclists needed to towel off and get back on their bicycles to tackle the remainder of the route.   

The camaraderie, passion and dedication felt at the conclusion of day one at the Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne was constant and undeniable. PMCers rejoiced under the food tent listening to music by Bliss, Adam Ezra Group and Entrain while sipping on Harpoon PMC beer. 

Hundreds of Living Proof PMC cyclists and volunteers who have been treated for cancer gathered to toast to their health and the mission of the PMC. As they posed for the annual Living Proof photo, laughs, hugs and tears were shed as everyone celebrated their successes and recalled their experiences. Angus McQuilken, a six-time Living Proof cyclist and vice president of the New England Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, and Billy led the heartfelt toast, sharing their awe and gratitude to the largest PMC Living Proof group to date.  

The reason PMCers rider and raise money. 

Part III: Day 2 

PMCers were grateful for a reprieve from the rain on Sunday! Under the romantic illumination of streetlights in a misty dawn, a drone, courtesy of Skysight Images out of Yarmouth, captured footage of PMCers as they made their way over the Bourne Bridge on their way to Provincetown. 

A still shot taken from the PMC drone footage. 

A few of the New England Patriots cheerleaders and Pat, the NFL team’s mascot, were stationed at the Patriot Place water stop along the route. Cyclists who rode the Sunday one-day Wellesley loop ranged in age from their teens to nearly 80 years old.  All had one thing in common, their commitment to defeat cancer.  

While there was still a chill in the air, and no sign of the sun on the Cape, Wellesley finishers were treated to a warm, partly sunny return to Babson College in Wellesley. Regardless, all PMCers were proud and enthusiastic about their accomplishments and quick to express their love for their PMC teammates and the organization overall. Over and over, throughout the weekend, riders said the challenges they faced due to the weather was nothing compared to the daily challenges that cancer patients endure. 

Finishing parties at the Provincetown Inn, family finish and at Babson College in Wellesley were festive, fun and food-filled. At Babson College in Wellesley, finishers were treated to the live tunes of the band, No More Shotz.  

WBZ-TV shot live from Provincetown and highlighted stories of riders as they completed their two-day journey in Wellesley. The station was there again, at the World Trade Center pier in South Boston, as more than 800 riders came into Boston by ferry, escorted by a Boston Fire Boat, which spouted a water solute to those who rode to raise money for cancer research and treatment.  

PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr with PMC board members, friends and sponsors at the Provincetown Inn finish line. 

To be continued….

Although PMC weekend has passed, there is still time to help the PMC reach its $40 million goal, which will bring the PMC’s 35-year gift to the Jimmy Fund to $454 million.  

To learn more about the Pan-Mass Challenge, or to support your favorite cyclist or team, visit www.pmc.org.  Donations to the PMC will be accepted until Oct. 1. 

A huge thank you to everyone who helps year-round to make the PMC and fulfilling its mission, to support adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund, possible.  

Cheers! 

Post courtesy of Allison from Teak Media + Communication

 

 

Related Posts