The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is proud that riders come from all over the country (and the world) take to take part in our annual event to fight cancer. But, the success of the PMC to raise so much money year after year starts right here in Massachusetts. The dedicated PMCers from North, South and West of Boston continue to amaze us with their fundraising prowess. Of the $30.4 million raised in 2009, more than half came from our local Massachusetts communities. One hundred percent of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund for adult and pediatric cancer research and care. The 100 percent pass-through rate is made possible by PMC presenting sponsors the Boston Red Sox Foundation and Overstock.com. Breaking down the $30.4 million donation to see where the money comes from leads you to just outside of Boston. It was the 1,823 cyclists who live West of Boston who donated the most in 2009: an astounding $11.3 million. This includes riders from Newton, Wellesley, Brookline, Wayland, and Needham. Communities North and South of Boston contributed significantly as well. Up north, 769 riders raised more than $3.7 million. This includes PMCers from Andover, Marblehead, Manchester, Winchester and Reading. The 693 cyclists from the South Shore – including the towns of Hingham, Marshfield, Walpole, and Sharon – contributed $3.4 million to the PMC. Riders from the Greater Springfield area raised $650,373. The Worcester area contributed more than $400,000 to fight cancer. And $1.3 million came directly from the city of Boston. While the PMC saw its donation to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute decrease from the record-breaking 2008 ride, the $30.4 million donation was the third largest in PMC history and the biggest contributor to Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund once again.
PMC 2009
Here's how the Boston Globe reported on the donations from the West region:
Fund-raising fell by about 15 percent, to $11.4 million, compared with the 2008 totals in 53 area communities, but 14 of the communities raised more money than in 2008. The $42,000 collected in Maynard from the August ride was nearly double that of 2008's figure, and Boxborough raised about $45,000 after having no riders last year. However, Newton, which has raised the most in the area the past two years, saw its fund-raising drop from about $2 million in 2008 to about $1.5 million last summer. Yet a major point of optimism for Pan-Mass. organizers is that more than 230,000 people donated to the cause, a drop of just 2 percent from 2008. "Were people scared to ask? Were people scared to give? Clearly not on any level, but they did give less,'' said Billy Starr, the challenge's founder and executive director. The 58-year-old Wellesley resident started the event after his mother, uncle, and cousin died of cancer. Heather Greacen, 48, has ridden twice in the past, and this year provided fund-raising support for daughter Kelly, 17, and son Scott, 15, riding for their first time. "It's all about knocking out cancer, and the need for that doesn't stop when we have lean financial times,'' said her husband, Jamie. "It's still hugely successful. We'll keep at it. Some people needed to cut back and that's fine. Others contributed more than they ever had, because they realized the need may be even greater this year.''
Read more about Massachusetts riders from North, South and West.
Reminder: Registration for the 2010 31st Pan-Massachusetts Challenge has begun. Alumni Heavy Hitters can register here. Starting Jan. 12, all PMC alumni can register for one of 10 routes (including two new options). Open registration begins Jan. 19.
