Pmc: A Billion-Dollar Cancer Fighter

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Since its inception in 1980, the PMC has raised a total of \$972 million, with a record-breaking \$72 million raised in 2023. This funding has contributed to cancer care and research, including the development of 41 cancer drugs. The PMC is the largest single contributor to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and its Jimmy Fund, generating 62% of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue.

The Pan-Mass Challenge's 2023 donation of $72 million

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2023, the PMC raised a record-breaking $72 million, the largest single donation in the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's history. This brings the PMC's total fundraising since its inception in 1980 to $972 million.

The PMC is the largest single contributor to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and its Jimmy Fund, accounting for 62% of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue. The PMC community's dedication to the cause has brought them closer to their goal of defying cancer.

The 2023 PMC event featured 6,500 participants who cycled up to 211 miles across Massachusetts, with riders from 44 states, territories, and districts and 6 countries. The PMC has inspired other athletic fundraising events, such as Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society and Pelotonia for the James Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio.

The PMC's success is a testament to the power of the community coming together for a common cause. With the funds raised, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute can continue to make significant strides in cancer research and treatment, bringing hope and healing to those affected by the disease.

The PMC's impact extends beyond the dollars raised. It has also inspired other similar fundraising events and has become a beacon of hope for those affected by cancer. The PMC community's unwavering commitment to the cause is a powerful force in the fight against cancer, and their dedication continues to make a profound difference in the lives of those touched by this disease.

The PMC's total donation since 1980: $972 million

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon that has raised a total of $972 million since its inception in 1980. It is the largest single athletic fundraising event in the country, with 100% of rider-raised dollars going directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC community has consistently demonstrated its dedication to the mission of raising funds for cancer research and treatment, and their efforts have made a significant impact.

The PMC was founded by Billy Starr in 1980, several years after his mother contracted melanoma. The event has grown exponentially since its first year, when it raised $10,200 with 36 riders who rode from Springfield to Provincetown. In 2023, the PMC featured 6,500 participants and raised a record-breaking $72 million, the single largest donation in the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's history. The PMC generates 62% of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue and is the largest single contributor to the fund.

The PMC offers a range of events to engage participants, including the PMC Winter Cycle, PMC Kids Rides, and PMC Unpaved. These events provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved and support the mission. The PMC community's dedication has helped fuel advancements in cancer research and care at Dana-Farber, including the development of 41 cancer drugs.

The success of the PMC has inspired other athletic fundraising events, such as Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society and Pelotonia for the James Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio. The PMC's impact extends beyond the funds raised; it has also helped to increase awareness and engagement in the fight against cancer. With each passing year, the PMC community gets closer to its goal of defying cancer and making a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by this disease.

The PMC's total donation of $972 million since 1980 is a testament to the power of community and the unwavering commitment of its participants, volunteers, and sponsors. Their dedication has helped bring hope and support to countless individuals and families affected by cancer. As the PMC community continues to grow and strive towards its goals, their impact on cancer research and treatment will continue to be felt across the globe.

The PMC's 2024 goal: $75 million

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It is the largest single-event athletic fundraiser in the world, and the largest single contributor to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and its Jimmy Fund. The PMC has raised a total of $972 million since its inception in 1980, with a record-breaking $72 million raised in 2023.

The PMC's 2024 goal is to raise $75 million. This ambitious target is set against a backdrop of remarkable fundraising achievements over the years. Since its inception, the PMC has inspired various other athletic fundraising events, such as Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society and Pelotonia for the James Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio.

The PMC's fundraising success has had a significant impact on cancer research and treatment. It has helped fund the development of 41 cancer drugs, including a new class of drugs called "immune checkpoint inhibitors" that revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, PMC support has bolstered Dana-Farber's clinical trials program, one of the largest in the country, with more than 1,100 trials offered.

The PMC's commitment to its mission is evident in its fundraising structure. It was the first athletic fundraiser to require participants to guarantee their pledges with a personal credit card, significantly reducing rider delinquency rates. This, coupled with the dedication of thousands of volunteers and sponsors, ensures that 100% of rider-raised dollars go directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

With its 2024 goal of raising $75 million, the PMC community remains determined to bring cures closer by the mile and make a significant difference in the fight against cancer.

The PMC's funding of cancer research and treatment

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is a Massachusetts-based annual bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It is the largest single-event athletic fundraiser in the world, and the largest single contributor to the Dana-Farber Institute and its Jimmy Fund. The PMC was started in 1980 by Billy Starr, several years after his mother contracted melanoma. In its first year, the event raised $10,200 and had 36 riders, who rode from Springfield to Provincetown.

Since its inception, the PMC has raised a total of $972 million for cancer care and research, including helping to fund the development of 41 cancer drugs. In 2023, the PMC raised a record-breaking $72 million, bringing the total raised since 1980 to almost $1 billion. This money has enabled equally ambitious advances in cancer research and care at Dana-Farber. For example, PMC funding has helped Dana-Farber's basic scientists discover the role of a protein called PD-L1 in blocking an immune attack on tumour cells, launching a new class of drugs called "immune checkpoint inhibitors" that revolutionized cancer immunotherapy.

Additionally, PMC support has bolstered Dana-Farber's clinical trials programme, one of the largest in the country. Fueled in part by PMC funding, Institute investigators played a substantial role in the development of over half of all cancer drugs approved by the FDA in the last five years. Speeding these new medicines from the lab to clinics has improved the lives of patients worldwide.

PMC resources have also helped Dana-Farber's Cancer Care Equity Program (CCEP) double in size over the past year, expanding research-based interventions that alleviate health disparities, increase access, and enhance outcomes in medically underserved populations. This includes community-focused patient navigation, through which trained staff provide need-based assistance with transportation, language services, medical expenses, health insurance, nutrition, and other potential barriers to optimal care.

The PMC's other fundraising events

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is a fundraising bike-a-thon that has raised more money for charity than any other single athletic event in the US. Since its inception in 1980, the PMC has inspired a variety of other fundraising events, including:

PMC Winter Cycle

The PMC Winter Cycle is an indoor cycling event held at Fenway Park. Led by top Boston-area instructors, participants can ride in one or up to five 45-minute sessions. The fundraising commitment for the 2024 ride, which took place on March 9, was $400 per session, with all proceeds going directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

PMC Kids Rides

The PMC Kids Rides program allows children ages 2 to 15 to create their own bike-a-thons in their neighbourhoods, schools, or communities. These rides aim to raise funds for cancer research and teach children the importance of giving back.

PMC Unpaved

PMC Unpaved, established in 2022, is an off-road bike ride through the scenic backroads of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts. The 30- or 50-mile course offers a unique way to raise funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The second event took place in September 2023, and the third is scheduled for September 28, 2024.

PMC Golf Event

Although details are scarce, the PMC also advertises a golf event on its website.

In addition to these events, the PMC community also includes volunteers who support the PMC mission. The PMC provides innovative tools and guidance for successful fundraising campaigns, and 100% of rider-raised dollars go directly to cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Frequently asked questions