Fort Myers resident rides in 30th annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge
On August 1 and 2, Fort Myers resident Bill Harwin will ride in the 30th annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC), the nation’s pioneer charity bike-a-thon that raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country.
He will be among more than 5,000 cyclists who will ride with the collective goal of raising millions of dollars for lifesaving cancer research and care for adult and pediatric cancer patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.
PMC riders are between 13 and 85 years of age. Many riders are seasoned cyclists or tri-athletes, while others are PMC weekend warriors, having trained for this event alone. PMC cyclists are unified in the most important ways they are driven to raise money for cancer research and they love the PMC.
The PMC is all about heart and soul. Doctors ride along side their patients; friends and family members ride in honor of loved ones lost to, or battling, cancer. Nearly 300 cancer survivors will ride to give back and give thanks for being given a second chance.
“Even in a down economy, people are making a commitment to fundraise and ride in the PMC in order to help raise money for cancer research,” says Billy Starr, PMC founder and executive director. “Cancer doesn’t stop because of a recession and neither do PMCers.”