Pan-Mass Challenge announces record-shattering $51 million gift to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

6,200 Cyclists Together Fund Life-Saving Cancer Research and Treatment

November 11, 2017

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) today announced a record-breaking gift of $51 million to support adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at the world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, exceeding the goal by $3 million. With this gift, the PMC has brought its fundraising total to $598 million since its inception in 1980.

As Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor, accounting for more than 52 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue, the funds raised by the PMC are an integral part of the institute’s groundbreaking work and unprecedented advancements made in cancer research, treatment and care. With threats to federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), alternative sources of funding are more critical than ever for Dana-Farber and other research and treatment centers.

"The PMC community’s unwavering commitment to one day eradicating cancer blows me away year after year," said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC. "Records are truly made to be broken, and I am humbled by the support of our riders, sponsors, volunteers and donors that worked tirelessly this year to help us exceed our fundraising goal by not one, not two, but $3 million. We are honored to be gifting $51 million to Dana-Farber to make a tangible difference in their critical work towards finding a cure."

On August 5 and 6, 2017, more than 6,200 cyclists rode in the PMC with the common goal of raising this year’s record-breaking fundraising gift. Hailing from 40 states and seven countries, riders ages 15 to 84 participated in one of 12 routes ranging in distance from 25 to 192 miles. Cyclists commit to raising between $500 and $7,500, 100 percent of which goes directly to Dana-Farber. At the cornerstone of the PMC community are the more than 850 riders and volunteers who are cancer survivors or current patients, considered “Living Proof” of the PMC mission to find a cure.

"I am continuously impressed with and honored to be a part of the PMC family. Every year the participants push the limits of their fundraising efforts on behalf of our caregivers, our patients and their families,” said Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber. “We are especially thankful for this year’s monumental $51 million gift which is essential to Dana-Farber’s ongoing work. The advancements we make in research, treatment and care are enabled in large part to the unparalleled generosity of the PMC and are vital as we continue to move forward in making a profound global impact on this devastating disease."

The PMC began in 1980 when Starr and 35 of his friends rode across Massachusetts and raised $10,200 for cancer research. It is recognized as the pioneering event that connected athleticism to charitable fundraising. Today, athletic fundraising events annually raise more than $4 billion, funding crucial programs at health and human service organizations nationwide.

The PMC is presented by New Balance and the Red Sox Foundation. Another 200 companies support the event by providing more than $7 million in goods and services each year. During PMC weekend and throughout the year, more than 4,000 volunteers donate their time to support the organization. The 39th PMC will take place on August 4 and 5, 2018. To make a financial contribution to a rider, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE.