November 17, 2004
Pan-Massachusetts Challenge raises $20 million for the Jimmy Fund
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute President Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, and PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr at the PMC's 25th annual check presentation ceremony and gala.
The cyclists and virtual riders of the 25th annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) bike-athon raised $20 million for the Jimmy Fund. PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr presented the record-setting amount to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute President Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, at the PMC's 25th annual check presentation ceremony and gala held Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Boston Convention and Expo Center ballroom.
Raised by nearly 4,000 cyclists who rode up to 192 miles in the 25th annual PMC in August, the $20 million is more than twice the amount ever contributed to charity by an athletic fundraising event anywhere in the United States and represents 97 cents of every dollar raised. It brings the PMC's 25-year Jimmy Fund contribution to more than $122 million. The PMC, which is presented by the Boston Red Sox, is the Jimmy Fund's largest contributor, generating nearly 50 percent of its annual revenue.
Before accepting the check, Dr. Benz honored Starr with the Sidney Farber Medal for Medical and Cancer Research, a prestigious award given to those who have made an exceptional contribution to reduce the burden of cancer on society. The award was first given to Sidney Farber, MD, the founder of modern chemotherapy and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In recent years, the award has been given to U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and the Boston Red Sox for their 50 years of support of the Jimmy Fund. "When they write the history of how cancer was conquered, the PMC will be in chapter one," Dr. Benz said. "Everyone who works at Dana-Farber knows that the PMC makes our work possible."
Starr accepted the award on behalf of the many thousands who have ridden in the PMC. He attributed the exceptional achievement in fundraising to organizational factors that include the PMC's unique culture in which the focus remains on the event's mission — to annually increase the sum it contributes to the Jimmy Fund. "PMCers are very conscious of the importance of funding cancer research and the progress made at Dana-Farber as a result of their efforts," Starr says. "While many join the PMC for the athletic pursuit and the event's reputation as a challenging and well-supported ride, most stay involved and raise so much money because they become committed to the cause."
Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino addressed the crowd during the cocktail hour and guests posed for photographs with the World Series trophy throughout the evening. "The PMC is like the Red Sox," Lucchino said. "They know what it takes to win, and know they will get there. Curing cancer will be the greatest of all victories." Lucchino is a two-time cancer survivor and former patient at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. His wife, Stacey, has been a PMC cyclist for three years.
"Between the Red Sox and Lance Armstrong, PMCers have been provided all the metaphors for perseverance we could ever need. Both of these champions climbed to the top of their respective mountains this year," Starr said to the 1,000 attendees. "What I get from these sports sagas is this: Belief and persistence are rewarded, impossible dreams can come true, and come springtime, we all begin again. These have always been the lessons of the PMC."
