#WhyIPMC guest blog by Julie Frias, 13-year PMC Team Patriot Platelet PedalErs
My journey with the Pan-Mass Challenge began back in 2012 after hearing about the countless stories from my
aunt, who had ridden many times prior to me jumping into the mix of what makes up this unforgettable weekend or better known as PMC weekend.
Looking back on the past 13 years my rides have turned into volunteering countless times at water stops as a photographer and being a part of the PMC Unpaved. As well as volunteering and riding In the PMC Winter Cycle at America's Most Beloved Ball Park, Fenway Park.
But personally, being touched by cancer had happened toward the end of 2005 when a former team mate from my high school ice hockey team and my cousin both lost their battle to cancer after putting up one heck of a fight. To many friends and family members as well as coworkers and children of friends being faced with the dreaded words of you have cancer. While some are now in remission and continue to be cancer free today 
because of the PMC, while others have lost their battles, and others are just beginning their fight against this awful disease. And most recently for a friend who was recently (January 2025) diagnosed with brain cancer and an uncle who was diagnosed with prostate cancer within a couple weeks of each other. In typical Julie fashion, I joined my aunt and thousands of riders each year, I registered for the PMC, began fundraising and during PMC weekend I jumped on my bike with my phone loaded with music to listen to during my ride from Babson College to Gillette Stadium and back while taking in the sights and sounds of those cheering us all on along the route followed by continued "thanks for riding" as we pedaled past. 
