Latest news with #PanMassChallenge
CBS News
03-08-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Pan-Mass Challenge wraps up a successful weekend as many riders honor loved ones
Thousands of riders wrapped up the Pan-Mass Challenge in Provincetown on Sunday. "It was the most amazing Sunday PMC ever. Perfect conditions," WBZ-TV's Lisa Hughes, who rode in the event, said. "Couldn't have been better." Hughes had a chance to chat with some of the participants on the ride, including PMC founder Billy Starr. "I saw great behavior, great attitude. A big success," Starr said. But the true measure of the ride's success? "The money! We gotta raise money. That's what we're here to do." Every dollar raised by the ride goes to cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. This year's goal was set at $76 million. "This morning is special for us because it is our chance to give back to Dana-Farber, who has saved my wife's life three times," said Boston radio host Richard Shertenlieb. He said his wife is currently fighting cancer for the fourth time at Dana-Farber. Former Boston Marathon champion Jack Fultz crossed the finish line for the 23rd time. "Well, the fundraising for sure and what it supports in terms of patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber. That's the primary motive," Fultz said. "I'm kind of a fitness nut as well, so this forces me to stay healthy and exercise on a regular basis." Every cyclist has a reason to ride, including first-time rider Robert Peirce. "My grandmother immigrated from Guatemala, and she didn't speak a ton of English. And she came here, she started a life, she rose my mom, and she was just such a big inspiration," Peirce said. "She passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2010, and I knew that this was something I had to do to honor her."Lisa Hughes contributed to this report.
CBS News
02-08-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Pan-Mass Challenge ends first day in Bourne with cheers, celebration
A community of champions came together this weekend to take part in the Pan-Mass Challenge to find a cure for cancer. "I'm not a doctor so I can't cure cancer, but this is my way of doing something for those who can," Brenda Williams, from Team MAPFRE Insurance, said. From Sturbridge to Provincetown and all cities and town in between, more than 6,500 riders pedaled with purpose for the two-day event. One hundred percent of every rider-raised dollar goes to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to accelerate research and treatment. This year's riders come from 12 countries and 47 states and territories. Many are riding in honor of or in memory of a loved one with cancer. More than 1,000 riders and volunteers are also cancer survivors or patients themselves. At the water stop in Lakeville, pedal partners gathered with pediatric patients being treated at the Jimmy Fund Clinic who have come to cheer on the team. Tilly, 6½, was diagnosed with cancer when she was 2 years old. She has an inoperable tumor in her spine. "Go PMC," she shouted. The family has been part of the PMC long before she was diagnosed. "We cheered the riders on 10 years ago, when Tilly had no affiliation, and now, we cheer for them riding because we are now affected by cancer as well," Tilly's mom, Clair Storck, said. Tilly's dad, Josh Danoff, is proud of his daughter. "We were able to start a fund for Tilly at Dana-Farber that does research on spinal cord tumors, so the money that is raised goes to her fund," he said. This year is Chris Kay's third PMC. He and his team at M&T Bank crossed the finish line in Bourne. "Both my parents and all of my siblings suffered from cancer, and we lost a few of them. You know, I was riding for their courage." The ride will continue on Sunday to Provincetown
CBS News
02-08-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Pan-Mass Challenge cyclists begin their journey to Bourne to raise money for cancer research
Thousands of riders began their journey Saturday morning in the annual Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for cancer research. This is the last year the cyclists will be starting their ride in Wellesley and Sturbridge, where they've began since 1981, on their way to Bourne. Next year, the ride will begin from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. "The memories in Sturbridge and how we built this event out part of the history of the PMC and it's been great but when we move to Worcester and the College of Holy Cross, we have more modern amenities, more ability to grow and take care of people with greater comfort when you realize the riders have big distances. So I'm excited for today, this weekend, and also for next year," said PMC founder Billy Starr on Saturday morning. This year's riders come from 12 countries and 47 states and territories. Many are riding in honor of or in memory of a loved one with cancer. More than 1,000 riders and volunteers are also cancer survivors or patients themselves. Starr said despite raising more than a billion dollars over the years, their work will continue. "Cancer's not gone, so our work does not change. That's the mission to ride, funds to Dana-Farber to do their work and look, there's a lot riding on us, as I'm fond of saying. Everybody here embraces the mission, we have a fabulous weekend, the PMC weekend is the secret sauce, it fuels all of us all year long. And it's worth ponying up and raising a ton of money and we're all honored to have that opportunity," said Starr. One of the teams leaving from Wellesley Saturday morning was Team 9, a group of employees, friends and family of the Boston Red Sox. This year, they're riding in memory of former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield and his wife Stacy. "It is just such a blessing to be out here with everyone and Dawn and I keep coming back because we have a lot of people to ride for, both in memory and in honor of," said Team 9 member Kathryn Nixon. ""Also dedicating our ride this year to Stacey and Tim, not only were they really close friends of ours but they inspired us, just the way they loved others and served others and we're just honored to be here." "Well honestly, if you look around and you can see all the causes, everybody that has a name on their shirt or something that represents why they're here, Dana-Farber has been such a blessing," said Team 9 member Dawn Timlin,
CBS News
01-08-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
The Pan-Mass Challenge is this weekend. Here's what to know about the routes, fundraising and more.
The 2025 Pan-Mass Challenge, an annual bike-a-thon that has become the largest single athletic fundraiser in the U.S., is happening in Massachusetts this weekend. More than 6,500 cyclists and 3,500 volunteers are coming together to raise millions of dollars for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Here's what to know about the PMC. The Pan-Mass Challenge is made up of 14 routes ranging from 25 to 186 miles. The original and longest route is a two-day ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown. Riders begin in the hills of Central Massachusetts on Day 1 and end up on the Cape Cod Canal. On Day 2, riders depart Bourne, following Route 6A before connecting with the Cape Cod Rail Trail. For some, the ride ends at the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown. Other routes include a 162-mile ride from Wellesley to Provincetown, an 85-mile trek from Wellesley to Bourne and a scenic 50-mile loop that starts and finishes in Wellesley. Click here for a full list of routes and maps for riders. In 2026, the Pan-Mass Challenge will start at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester to give riders more space and access to modern facilities. The PMC takes place on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 3. from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exact start times depend on which route riders are taking. The ride from Sturbridge will kick off at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. Wellesley riders leave at 6:45 a.m. Saturday. Click here for more information about logistics. The PMC has a fundraising goal of $76 million this year, and 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Since it began in 1980, the PMC has raised more than $1 billion for cancer research, treatment and patient care. It also makes up 66% of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue. There are fundraising minimums ranging from $2,000 for a one-day ride, to $6,000 for rides to Provincetown from Sturbridge and Wellesley. People can also participate as a "virtual rider" with no fundraising minimum. The Pan-Mass Challenge is full of inspirational stories and riders. This year's cyclists and volunteers come from 10 countries and 45 states. There are 160 Dana-Farber employees riding or volunteering, and organizers say some of them are doing so to fund their own cancer research. Boston Red Sox World Series champion Mike Timlin is riding his first PMC in memory of Tim and Stacy Wakefield. Timlin and his wife Dawn are riding for the Red Sox Foundation's Team 9. Among those riding are more than 1,000 "Living Proof" cyclists who have been treated for cancer. PJ Branco, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer at 26 years old, is one of them. "I finally feel like I'm able to give back to the people who helped save my life," he told WBZ-TV. WBZ is proud to partner with the Pan-Mass Challenge. To learn more, go to
CBS News
31-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Led by CEO Rob Hale, Granite Telecommunications makes largest team donation in Pan-Mass Challenge history
Giving back is a key measure of success at Granite Telecommunications in Quincy. The company's founder and CEO Rob Hale may be as well known for his extraordinary philanthropy as he is for his successful business. He is also a second-year Pan-Mass Challenge rider getting ready to take on a route of almost 190 miles. In 2023, Rob and a team of about 25 employees rode their first PMC and loved the experience. "It's a lot of fun," he says. "It's wonderful to support the Pan-Mass Challenge. It is wonderful to support Dana-Farber." Rob's father, who was treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, died of pancreatic cancer. Rob's drive to help fund research that leads to a cure is personal. "It obviously rips your heart out. But the compassion, care, the research they do-it's going to make the world a better place," he said. That's one motivation for this year's team of almost 50 riders. Another is the memory of a beloved friend and colleague who died suddenly in December. Bob Allen-"B.A."- worked at Granite for more than 30 years. He ran marathons for charity, mentored younger employees, and wanted to ride this year's PMC. Steve Iannacone, who worked for Bob for 22 years, remembers one of their last conversations before Bob passed away. Bob was about to go into the hospital for, what was supposed to be, a routine procedure. "He goes, 'I can't wait to get out of the hospital. I am going to train for the Pan-Mass, and we are all going to do it in August together as a team.' So that was the plan - - to do it with B.A," Steve said. "He was going to come back, and we were all going to rally around him." Steve describes Bob's death as devastating. When Rob announced that Granite would form a 2025 PMC team to ride in Bob's memory, he asked members to come up with a creative name. They chose B.A.'s Brigade, a name they will wear proudly on their "day two" team jerseys. Members of Bob's family have also joined the team which, Steve says, will make the ride even more special. Through the spring and summer, they met for training rides-often on the South Shore. Their fundraising took on even greater urgency after Rob made a call to PMC founder Billy Starr. "I asked Billy what's the most that any team had ever raised? and he said 3.5," Rob said. The team goal became $3.6 million, and days before the 2025 ride, they hit it. B.A.'s Brigade has now made the largest team donation in the PMC's 46-year history. They feel especially proud to make that record-breaking donation in Bob's memory. Rob, who like most of the team is riding the two-day PMC from Sturbridge, is ready to go. "For our family and for my Granite teammates, maybe the greatest gift is the joy of giving," he said. "It makes me joyful." Steve says he hopes to pose for the team photo at the ride's end in Provincetown holding Bob's photo. He says that is a memory he will treasure. 100% of all PMC donations go directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. To learn more about the Pan-Mass Challenge go to
