Why WE PMC - Nancy, Deb and Nathaniel Smith

#WhyIPMC guest blog by Nancy Smith (18-year rider), Deb Smith (15-year Living Proof participant (5-year rider / 11-year volunteer)) and Nathaniel Smith (5-year rider)

Why I/We PMC: Three Generations of Smith Family PMCers:

Nancy Smith (86), Deb Smith (63), and Nathaniel Smith (22).

Nancy’s Story:  My first PMC, Sturbridge to Provincetown in 1991, was the beginning of what was to became a family tradition. I rode in honor of my dad, who died of cancer five months later. I retired from the PMC in 2010 after doing the ride for 17 years and raising over $100,000. My daughter Deb joined me for several years, my grandson Nathaniel did the PMC Kids Rides and then the big PMC, and they both volunteered for many years at the Dighton-Rehobeth lunch stop. Nathaniel has now coaxed his mom and me out of retirement and invited us to join him for this year's ride. We accepted with pleasure and are excited! The Smith family team will do the Foxborough route, and looks forward to experiencing the PMC camaraderie together, supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), and honoring family and friends who have been affected by cancer.

Deb’s Story:  I was inspired by my mom and began riding in 1992 and did the Sturbridge to Provincetown route for four years in the mid-1990s. I then revived my PMC relationship in 2007, when my son Nathaniel did his first PMC Kids Ride in Natick at age 4, on training wheels. That was the first year of the Natick ride, so he was a founding rider! Nathaniel did the PMC Kids ride in Natick from 2007 to 2015 and raised a total of $5594. A portion of that was raised from our annual homemade cookie and lemonade stand each summer.  

After he maxed out of that ride and before he could do the adult ride, Nathaniel and I volunteered at the Dighton-Rehoboth lunch stop for several years. Nathaniel became a fixture with the drinks, and I usually worked with the sandwich-making crew. Betsy Duffey and her family were inspiring leaders, and it was so great to see her family and other regulars each year. 

A few years ago, I found out I had melanoma, and luckily it was stage zero and in situ, with clean margins at surgery, so I am most grateful it was caught early, but others are not so lucky. Having annual skin checks by a dermatologist is essential for early detection.

Having the chance to ride with my son and mom together is amazing, and my mom has already ridden more than I have in the 2025 cycling season! She rode 700 miles last year, and I have no doubt she can do this.

Nathaniel’s story:  The PMC has always been a part of my life, from riding with training wheels around the Natick Kids Ride to now having completed five years of the 50-mile Wellesley route. I grew up around the PMC, not only supporting it as a kid but also volunteering at the Dighton-Rehoboth lunch stop (shout out the drinks station). 

While I haven’t yet taken on the full 186-mile adult ride, I’ve seen both my mom and grandmother fundraise for and complete this ride. Growing up around the PMC, you learn early on how emotional, powerful, and impactful the ride can be. Both the kids' and adult rides feature photos along the route of family members or patients actively fighting cancer. 

While I always rode past these signs and was aware of the impact as a young rider, I was lucky enough not to know anyone close to me who had cancer—until 2024. That summer, the PMC took on a whole new meaning. I watched one of my co-counselors at the summer camp I’ve attended for 13 years receive a call, be diagnosed, and have to fly back home to England to start treatment. No matter how you support the PMC—riding, fundraising, or donating—every contribution directly helps someone receive life-saving treatment. 

 I ride to continue the commitment my mom and grandmother began. A commitment which will come together this year, where for the first time I will be riding alongside my grandmother (age 86) & mom. From my experience and family, I’ve seen firsthand how the Pan-Mass-Challenge brings together people, donations, and creates a community. This is why I ride.