#WhyIPMC guest blog by Chris Bane, 2-year rider
I'm a proud supporter of the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) because of its tireless dedication to
beating cancer. Each year, the PMC, its members, and its supporters raise funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world-leading cancer research center here in Boston. The reason I ride in PMC's 50-mile bike-a-thon is to honor two lives that made a tremendous impact not just on me but also on so many others. My best friend's father, Jamie Kekeisen, showed me how important it is to give back to your community and always go above and beyond when given a chance to help friends and family. These efforts make you a true force for creating positive change in the world.
The second person I ride for is Justin Teague.Along with being a massive supporter of PMC himself over the years, Justin was our CEO at SmartBear, my employer. Justin was an impossibly brave, competitive leader who inspired every employee who was lucky enough to work for him to strive to be better in every possible way. In Justin Teague's memory, we host an annual SmartBear employee-led, company-matched fundraiser and a "fun-run." Justin's fantastic family joins us for this run and then for a reception afterward in the "The JT Bear Cave," -a large, communal space in our Somerville HQ that we renamed and dedicated in a special ceremony in 2021. Jamie and Justin will always be missed but never forgotten.
