PMC Day at Fenway was a grand slam

On Saturday, June 9, 33 cancer survivors who are PMC cyclists came together to celebrate the 33rd annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) and the Boston Red Sox Foundation's 10th year as presenting sponsors of the PMC. Just hours before the game, Billy Starr, PMC founder and executive director, and Larry Lucchino, president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, spoke passionately about the meaning behind PMC Day at Fenway Park and posed for photos with Red Sox wives, Stacey Lucchino, and Tiffany Ortiz. As trails of baseball fans took to their seats, a short video highlighting the PMC organization played on the JumboTron. Minutes later, PMC cyclists representing towns in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York rode their bicycles around the warning track as part of a pre-game ceremony during which PMC volunteers stood in front of the Green Monster to catch the falling American flag that unveiled the PMC logo. Following the survivor parade, Krystn Cinelli, 27, of Haverhill, sang the national anthem and PMC Team 9 Pedal Partner and cancer patient, Tim Burke, 12, of South Boston, eagerly shouted, "Play ball!"

PMC Team 9 Pedal Partner and cancer patient, Tim Burke, posed with Billy Starr, Tiffany Ortiz, and Stacey and Larry Lucchino.

To officially start the game, Diane Legg, 49, of Amesbury, threw the ceremonial first pitch. With the help of Wally the Green Monster, Joey Bianco, 14, of Natick, and Samantha Burns, 8, of Weston, served as bat kids. At the start of the fourth inning, Emma Zeiger, 14, of Needham, was honored by the Red Sox as a Child-Hood Hero for her outstanding contribution to her community as a member of the PMC family.

Wally the Green Monster and Emma Zeiger

As a special tribute, Bill Cantor, 88, of Swampscott, sat in Ted Williams' Red Seat sporting a straw hat to commemorate the day in 1946 when the straw hat worn by Joseph Boucher, of Albany, deflected a ball hit by Ted Williams. Although the Red Sox lost to the Nationals with a final score of 2 to 4, PMC Day at Fenway Park was an all around win. PMC participants were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the PMC mission as well as for their personal journeys overcoming cancer. Thank you to all our PMCers for participating in the event! Check out the full photo gallery here.