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Pan-Massachusetts Challenge pedals toward a cure for cancer

Date: 7/28/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- One of Joe Savaria's most gratifying experiences came while riding in his first Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) last year. He peddled past cancer survivors as they cheered and held up signs, which read, "I'm here [alive] because of you."

Savaria, a West Springfield resident, will join 5,000 other cyclists in this year's PMC to benefit the Jimmy Fund on Aug. 1 and 2. The PMC has raised over $240 million over the past 29 years, 100 percent of which goes to cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

"It's a great cause ... [because] it's regular people [who participate in the PMC]," Savaria told Reminder Publications. "It's not super athletes like in the Tour de France -- it's regular people ... it's young people, it's old people, people in great physical condition and weekend warriors.

"It's a long one or two days but you get lifted along the day when you see the community come out [to support you as you cycle by]," he continued. "It's a physically difficult ride but if you think about the benefit to Dana-Farber, it makes you feel like you're doing something really important."

The PMC allows riders to choose from seven different routes totaling between 47 and 190 miles, which travel through 46 of the state's 351 municipalities. Cyclists must raise between $1,000 and $4,200 for the cause in order to participate.

"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," Billy Star, PMC founder and executive director, said. "Cancer doesn't stop because of a recession and neither do PMCers."

West Springfield resident Chris Rawson is one such PMCer. This year's ride will be his eighth in honor of his mother who passed away from cancer in 2006.

"What I really like about the event is that 100 percent of the money that the riders raise goes directly to the Jimmy Fund," Rawson said. "One of the things that really impressed me was [when] I visited the PMC office in Needham. The place looked like a really rundown office ... and that really impressed me. They weren't spending money on furniture. I was impressed by the fact that the offices were bare bones [and the money was going to the right place: the research and the patients]."

Rawson added that the PMC is one of the few events where those in attendance act as a "cohesive unit" supporting one cause and not personal gain.

Savaria and Rawson agreed they will continue to ride in the PMC as long as they're physically able and a cure is found.

Those who would like to make a contribution to the PMC may do so online at www.pmc.org or mail checks to PMC, 77 Fourth Ave., Needham, MA 02494.