Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Day at Fenway Park, June 18th

Saturday is PMC Day at Fenway, an event that pays tribute to the PMC. This is the Red Sox' ninth year as the PMC's presenting sponsor. More than 1,500 PMC riders, volunteers, and supporters will be in the stands for this exciting game. Prior to the 1:10 p.m. 7: 10 p.m. Red Sox game against the Milwaukee Brewers, a Red Sox player will sign autographs for PMCers. Game start has been changed because of the Bruins victory parade. All of the PMC pregame activites will still  take place beginning in the afternoon. Executive Vice President of Business for the Boston Red Sox John Gulila and PMC Founder Billy Starr will address the crowd. Stacey Lucchino, wife of Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino, and Red Sox wives Jacqui Francona and Tiffany Ortiz, who will ride in the PMC with Team 9, will lead the on-field pre-game ceremony. Team 9, made up of 40 Red Sox wives, management, and staff, is named for Ted Williams who was legendary in his love for the Jimmy Fund. Thirty-two PMC cyclists – all cancer survivors, ages 16 to 82 – were selected for the unique opportunity to ride their bikes around the warning track during the PMC pre-game ceremony.

Riders cycle the warning track during 2010 PMC Day at Fenway

The first pitch will be thrown by Zak Kraft, 28, of Swampscott, cancer patient and son of Barry Kraft, 59, of Swampscott, who has ridden each of the PMC's 32 years. The National Anthem will be sung by Denise DeSimone, 55, throat cancer survivor and PMC virtual rider. DeSimone has just finished writing her memoir, From Stage IV to Center Stage(July 2011). PMC Team 9's Pedal Partner, Bennett Hartley, 7, of Brewster, will announce, "Play Ball!" during the pre-game ceremony. Hartley is currently being treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund Clinic for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The PMC logo will once again be featured on the Green Monster

The pre-game ceremony will be inspiring for PMCers and everyone in the stands. The event spreads the PMC message and offers a way for others to become involved in raising funds for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. On August 6 and 7, the Fenway riders will join 5,000 cyclists in the 32nd annual PMC. The Red Sox are 8-0 on PMC Day at Fenway. Let's make it #9. Go Sox!