Remington Jefferson a Pan-Mass Challenge Rest Stop on Saturday

On Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7, the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) brought together more than 6,300 registered riders from around the globe for its 43rd ride with the goal of raising a record-breaking $66 million for cancer research and patient care at the world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts.

A substantial number of those riders passed through Franklin in the sweltering heat of Saturday, stopping in at the Remington-Jefferson School where booths were set up to provide refresements, bike repair services and music.

The PMC, which began in 1980, is the nation's oldest and most successful bicycling fundraising event and shows what the determination of each individual can do. The event has been instrumental in helping Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's clinicians and researchers learn more about cancer and its causes, and to develop new, increasingly effective treatments for this deadly disease. The Jimmy Fund is a principal fundraising arm of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Named for one of Dr. Farber's young patients, the Jimmy Fund is widely regarded as New England's favorite charity with individual and corporate supporters throughout the country. Corporate sponsorship and a vast volunteer network enable the Jimmy Fund to keep operating costs to a minimum.

This year, riders committed to cycle between 25 and 211 miles with the goal of raising $66 million dollars for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Among the local riders this weekend was State Rep. Jeff Roy who has beem riding with a team called Phil’s Phriends for the past 20 years. In his “why I ride” post on a PMC website, Roy noted the personal meaning of the event.

“Too many of our dear friends and relatives have been stricken by cancer and there is still much work to be done. And I learned firsthand of the importance of this work in May of this year when I was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma. Because of advances in medicine, funded by your donations, surgery was performed, the disease removed, and I am ready to roll in August,” he wrote.