Pan-Mass Challenge

[newfsmith]

The Pan-Mass Challenge last year raised $20 million, the goal for this year is $21 million. The 2 day ride is already closed, but I managed to get on the one day Wellesley to Bourne ride. http://www.pmc.org/mypmc/profiles.asp?Section=Story&eGiftID=JS0417

The Challenge give 97% of money donated to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Jimmy Fund, raising almost 50% of the Jimmy Fund's donations.

[massbikebabe]

News...

Hubby and I did the 2 day several years ago, now we focus on the MS 150. I just think the PMC asks an awful lot of it's fundraisers, especially since there have been questions about the management. But what the hell, it's still a great ride and enjoy yourself...

karen

[DeniseGoldberg]

I can't say anything about the management of the Pan-Mass Challenge, but I did look up the Jimmy Fund / Dana Farber Cancer Institute on Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/), and Dana Farber is rated as a 4-star charity (which is the highest star rating).

I've been using Charity Navigator to check out organizations before giving them money. Their stated purpose from their home page, for whatever it's worth - "Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator, works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities.".

--- Denise

[mainerider]

This will be my 7th year riding the PMC. The fundraising is a challenge. The first year the minimum was $1300, now it is $3000. Fortunately family and friends continue to be generous every year. But as the minimum increases I do stress about it especially because my letters seem to go out later and later every year (you would think I'd have a better system in place by now).

But I continue to ride the ride because I am a breast cancer patient at Dana Farber (currently 8 year survivor). The Institute is an incredible place. You can feel the "pulse" of the place as soon as you walk in. Doctors, nurses, staff all ride the PMC too, I usually bump into my oncologist several times during the weekend.

By taking part in the ride I feel I'm doing my part to fight cancer. The impact of the ride towards finding a cure is huge, over $120 million raised in 25 years. Every year we have guest speakers that have been treated at Dana Farber or physicians that are finding better ways to treat cancer and it is very motivating for me.

The ride is well supported through the entire weekend. My husband volunteers both Saturday and Sunday at the water stops and gets as much satisfaction as I do. It is one of the best weekends of the year.

Registration begins in January each year. Check it out: www.pmc.org

Maureen

[DeniseGoldberg]

Jean & Maureen -
I'm sending good wishes your way for the ride this weekend. The current forecast looks good, so I also hope that the weather wizard will continue cooperating!

--- Denise

[SpinSis]

Thanks ladies for doing the PanMass. I work at another cancer center in town and the benefits of the ride transcend money--the high visibility of the riders' dedication and work is an inspiration for people undergoing treatments, their family and friends, survivors (like Mainerider) and for health care providers alike!

Good luck!

ps. this is the most Northeast/New England based postings that I've seen thus far in a thread (but I'm still new to the board!)

[DeniseGoldberg]

ps. this is the most Northeast/New England based postings that I've seen thus far in a thread (but I'm still new to the board!)

Hey SpinSis -
Welcome! If you're looking for more Northeast/New England postings - have you seen the Northeast forum (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55) in the 'Places to ride, USA' section? That section is tucked away toward the bottom (of the screen), and it seems that sometimes it takes a while for folks to notice those sections.

--- Denise

[massbikebabe]

Which of you are leaving from Southbridge??? I think I am going to ride out there on Sat. morning to see you all off.

karen

[mainerider]

I'm leaving from Sturbridge. We take off at 6 am Saturday morning. NECN (New England Cable News) will cover the kickoff Friday pm at 8 pm and will do a wrap-up on Sunday night at 7 pm with lots of coverage in between.

I'll check out the New England forum discussed in an earlier post. Thanks.

Maureen

[newfsmith]

Today was the first day of PMC, and my only day. The weather was perfect. The residents along the route were extremely supportive: many of them with iced water bottles to hand out, some would slap a Krispy Kreme into your hand as you rode by, bagpipers and drummers at the top of a couple hills, lots of kids wanted to slap your hand, many "Thank you" posters on lawns, ballon arches across the road, etc. The volunteers had the food ready and efficiently set up so I was able to do 2 pit stops, lunch, refill my water bottles and be on my way in 30 minutes. In spite of my training being set back by my knee injury, I finished in 6 hours 16 minutes (5:44 riding), 84 miles on my computer. The end was just as good. A volunteer valet parked my bike, but first asked me if I wanted her to take my picture. Note the parking lot behind me. By the way, 31% of the roughly 4000 riders were women.

[massbikebabe]

Jean;

You look GREAT, congradulations on a job well done!!! :)

karen

[jobob]

excellent :cool:

People handing out Krispy Kremes, how swell is that I ask?

But, what ever happend to Dunkin' Donuts ?? :eek:

[Surlygirl]

Congrats Jean. You guys had a great weekend to ride.

Don't worry Jobob, Dunkin D is alive and well and I'm a huge supporter.

[mainerider]

My husband & I arrived home about 6 pm last night from P-Town (nickname for Provincetown Massachusetts). We were both pretty tired. My husband volunteers both days so he is on his feet all day filling water bottles for all the riders.

It was a good weekend. Friday afternoon started out like most PMCs I've done with thunderstorms. We were driving to Sturbridge, got to about Worcester, when the thunderstorms rolled through. They had stopped by the time we got to our hotel to check in. However driving over to the Host Hotel in Sturbridge a MAJOR storm came through and we had to pull over and wait it out. By the time we arrived at the Host Hotel part of the parking lot was flooded, about 12 inches and people were out playing in the water!

Fortunately the weather cleared and we had a great start on Saturday morning. Overall I found the weather a little too sunny and a little too warm for me personally though the weather was a great improvement over Friday's humidity. About mile 70 my stomach started rebelling from gatorade and melon and too much sun despite new applications of sunscreen at every water stop. But the cheering crowds along the way kept me moving. Also talking with riders about why they participate.

Saturday afternoon they took the Living Proof photo that is attached. In previous years they have taken separate photos at the Sturbridge and Wellesley starts but this year they took one photo of all cancer survivors (riders and those volunteering at Bourne) and gave us t-shirts. I think it is a pretty impressive group!

Sunday we left about 5:30 am as did everyone else I think. We had a beautiful sunrise as we were riding along the Cape Cod Canal. One of the highlights on Sunday is the camp just before Nickerson State Park. All the kids attending camp (at least a couple of hundred if not more) are out to cheer us on. The best highlight of course is coming up to the finish line.

Well guess I've rambled on. Thanks for reading though.

Maureen

[DeniseGoldberg]

Jean & Maureen -
Congrats to both of you on your successful rides! I'm so glad that you had good weather too, once you got past the crazy Friday night storms. At least you weren't riding (or camping) in that rain.

--- Denise

[mainerider]

Registration opened today for alumni riders for the 2006 Pan Massachusetts Challenge (Aug 5-6). Additional routes have been added, minimum fundraising for the 2-day Sturbridge/Provincetown route is $3300 and you now have to commit to the fundraising if you sign up for the Provincetown finish. The new routes and rules are geared towards the goal of raising $24 million dollars this year for cancer research.

This will be my 8th year riding the event and well worth the effort of fundraising and training.

Maureen

[newfsmith]

This year I was able to get onto the 2 day ride, maybe we will meet in Sturbridge. If at all possible, this year I am planning to start my ride a day early, leaving from West Stockbridge, MA. I expect to be the last person arriving in Provincetown!

[mainerider]

Jean - let's make plans to meet in Sturbridge either Friday pm for dinner/opening ceremony and/or Sat am. How far is West Stockbridge to Sturbridge?

[newfsmith]

I haven't picked a final route yet, but it is 80 miles, give or take 15. Friday night would probably be easier, the start is so mobbed. Let's plan on meeting.