Why I PMC - Emile Bielawa

Guest Blog by Elena Connolly

Emile Bielawa is 76-years-old and this year he will riding in his 27th Pan-Mass Challenge. Emile rides not only in memory of his brother, father, and mother, but also in support of his wife, who had uterine cancer and colon cancer stage three and is now three years cancer-free.

Twenty-seven years ago Emile lost his only sibling, his brother, to leukemia. In the span of two years, he also lost both his mother to myeloma and father to leukemia. Emile had always considered riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge. However, he wasn’t positive if he could handle the miles or even raise the money. Although, when Emile lost his brother, he was determined to do it. 

On August 1st & 2nd, Emile will be riding in the PMC once again. This year, Emile will be riding with a complete knee replacement. Last year Emile endured two operations, first to repair a torn meniscus muscle and then to undergo his knee replacement. For eight years Emile rode from Sturbridge to Provincetown, until the ride was broken down into several variations. He now rides from Wellesley to Provincetown and has developed a strong following, raising an average of $5,000 or more per year. This past year, Emile has raised over $8,000. 

When looking back at all the years he has ridden in the PMC, Emile’s most memorable memory of his rides, was passing somebody standing on their lawn and mouthing a thank you. Emile could just sense that they had cancer and that maybe he was contributing to a better quality of life with his efforts. It is moments like this one, that keep Emile riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge.