Babson Hosts 2011 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Charity Bike-A-Thon

Once again, Babson College is the Wellesley location for thePan-Massachusetts Challenge, an annual bike-a-thon and a pioneer of the athletic fundraising industry that today raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country.

The organization was founded in 1980 and has since raised $303 million for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.  

The PMC is a model of fundraising efficiency.  The PMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause.  In 2010, he PMC generated 60 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue and it was Dana-Farber’s single largest contributor.  Over 230,000 individual contributions were made to last year’s fundraising campaign.  In 2011, PMC cyclists will ride with the goal of raising $34 million for Dana-Farber.

When
The 32nd annual PMC will be held on August 6 and 7, 2011.  The ride has two starting lines on Saturday, Aug. 6, in Sturbridge and in Wellesley, and five finish lines in Provincetown (2), Bourne, Wellesley or Sharon on either Saturday, Aug. 6 or Sunday, Aug. 7.

Who
Cyclists travel from 34 states and six countries to ride in the PMC.  Nearly 300 riders are cancer survivors or current patients.  Some PMC cyclists are weekend warriors, others are trained triathletes.  Many PMC participants ride in honor of a family member or friend fighting the disease.  Cyclists range in age from 13 to 87.  The average PMC cyclist is 43 years old, trains for three months, solicits 40 sponsors, and raises more than $6,000. During PMC weekend and throughout the year, nearly 3,000 volunteers donate their time and 200 corporations provide in-kind donations of products or services.  

The PMC was founded in 1980 by Billy Starr, who remains the event’s executive director, annual cyclist and a fundraiser.  It is presented by the Red Sox Foundation and the New Balance Foundation.