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The Johnston Trio Rides With a Purpose

Published Date:   October 09, 2013

Topic:   PMC News

For PMC veteran Kenneth Johnston, of Stoughton, Mass., the Pan-Mass Challenge is more than an athletic fundraising event. Rather, the PMC is an inspirational weekend that brings his family together and raises awareness and funds for all types of cancer, including breast cancer, a disease that has affected his family not once but twice.  

Johnston is a 24-time PMC cyclist who rode the two-day 190-mile PMC route from Sturbridge to Provincetown this August alongside his children, Jeff, 20 and Lauren, 24. The 2013 PMC was extremely special to Johnston because Lauren rode for the first time, and it was at the hospital on the day she was born that Johnston learned of the PMC and decided to participate. In addition, Jeff is a five-time PMC cyclist who returned from the United States Military Academy at West Point just in time to participate in the annual bike-a-thon with his family having no prior training this year.  

The Johnston’s dedication to the PMC is a result of the inspirational battles, both triumphs and defeats, of the cancerous disease that has affected their family members. Johnston’s sister, and his children’s aunt, Janet Quigley, of Weymouth, is a breast cancer survivor and a huge motivation for the family to ride and raise money for the cause. Quigley is a proud breast cancer survivor, recent grandmother of twins, and volunteer for the annual bike-a-thon.  

“When I started riding in the PMC, cancer affected everyone else and I was participating because the PMC was a great cause,” says Johnston. “Then, breast cancer among other cancers started taking a toll on my family which was an eye-opening and motivating experience to continue to pedal for the cause.”  

In addition to Johnston’s sister, the Johnston trio also rides in honor of both of Johnston’s parents who succumbed to cancer and the children’s maternal grandmother who lost her battle with breast cancer. To date, the family has raised more than $168,700 in their honor. The Johnston’s are truly thankful to their many family members and friends and Johnston’s employer, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., for their continued support throughout their PMC journey.  

“The PMC is a lifetime commitment and experience which at 54 years old I plan to keep riding in and raising money for until I can’t,” says Johnston. “To help rid the world of diseases such as breast cancer is the goal. Continuing to participate in the PMC as a family can only help accomplish this goal as we also honor our loved ones. I hope to continue my fundraising efforts in honor of breast cancer patients and survivors.”  

October is national breast cancer awareness month. To support the Johnstons, or another PMC cyclist or team, go to www.pmc.org.

From Left to Right: Lauren Johnston, Ken Johnston and Jeff Johnston at the #PMC2013 Bourne (MMA) finish line.

 

 

Post courtesy of Teak Media + Communication 

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