The fundraising goal was set at an all-time high. The final sum raised will be announced in November, as money is still coming in and donations will be accepted until October 1, 2012. If the fundraising goal is met, the PMC's 33-year gift to the Jimmy Fund will total $374 million. "The PMC is unique in terms of the money our riders raise each year," said Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr. "This group is passionate and committed. If any organization can reach this goal, it is the PMC." The PMC typically draws up to 240,000 donors. PMC weekend was emotionally moving. More than 3,000 volunteers cared for the needs of the riders, from preparing and serving food, filling water bottles, and providing massages, to offering medical and mechanical care, transporting luggage and cleaning up after riders traveled through the water stops. The camaraderie shared by cyclists, volunteers, and supporters was inspiring. Doctors at Dana-Farber joined their patients as teammates and rode together with a unified goal. About 320 of the PMC's cyclists are cancer survivors or current patients. Thousands of riders have lost loved ones to the disease. Still more rode in honor of those in treatment.
U.S. Senators John Kerry (MA-D) and Scott Brown (MA-R) and U.S. Army Chief of Staff (retired) General George Casey were among the 5,450 cyclists who rode.
Senator John Kerry, PMC Founder and Executive Director, Billy Starr, and Senator Scott Brown