Making Connections through the Pan-Mass Challenge

Three-time PMC cyclist Evan Dana hosts his 3rd annual Happiness Exchange

Five years ago, Evan Dana, 30, of Brookline, Mass., received a phone call and was told his father, Greg, only had six months to live. Greg was diagnosed with lymphomatoid granulomatosis, a rare type of blood cancer that develops in the lungs. As a way to help his father fight, Evan rode for the first time in the Pan-Mass Challenge.

Evan’s mother, Marcia, was already a PMC veteran who encouraged her son to ride alongside her as part of Team DASSAULT, a group of 73 PMC cyclists and two virtual riders who live in the Westford, Mass. area and all have different connections to cancer. Greg rode 25 miles in 2011, next to his son, in what would be his first and only PMC experience.

“I was very close with my dad and watching him struggle with treatments was not easy,” says Evan. “Thanks to his team of doctors at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, my father lived over two years of quality life longer than expected.” In 2012, Greg lost his battle to cancer.

Inspired by the camaraderie and passion Evan witnessed and experienced along the PMC route, in 2011 he started hosting the Happiness Exchange, a private fundraising event to benefit his PMC campaign. The goal of the event is not only to raise money but also to create new connections among his community. At the center of the event is a silent auction in which guests donate and bid on experiences or services that include some type of human connection element and time commitment. The goal is to make everyone involved feel valued and to provide guests with an opportunity to donate in honor or memory of a loved one.

On Jan. 25, Evan hosted the third annual Happiness Exchange for 60 guests at his house. Auction items ranged from dinner and drinks with a famous tri-athlete, to a free bike tune-up and time with the mechanic, to coffee with Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD, President Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event raised nearly $3,000, which will go directly toward Evan’s 2014 PMC fundraising campaign. This year, Evan hopes to achieve PMC Heavy Hitter status for the third time. In order to become a PMC Heavy Hitter, cyclists must raise a minimum of $6,900.

“The PMC is an amazing event to be a part of in that you really do feel like you are making a difference for others both in the present and in the future,” says Evan. “Knowing that 100 percent of every rider raised dollar goes directly to help fund research to find cures for cancers, like the type my father battled, is enough motivation for me to keep on pedaling and fundraising. I ride in honor of him and in support of my mother who is a seven-time PMC cyclist and champion fundraiser for the cause.”

Registration for the 35th annual Pan-Mass Challenge, which is set for Aug. 2 and 3, is now open.