Pan-Massachusetts Challenge donates $35 million to Jimmy Fund

Hi All -

Please see the following press release from this evening. Thank you once again for playing a role in achieving this meaningful accomplishment.

Bud

BOSTON, Novemmber 11, 2011 –– The 2011 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) raised $35 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and its Jimmy Fund. The 2011 fundraising total is $2 million, or 5.7 percent, more than the PMC gave in 2010 and brings its 32-year Jimmy Fund contribution to $338 million.

Tonight, PMC Founder and Executive Director, Billy Starr, will present a ceremonial check to Dana-Farber President Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD at aFenwayParkcelebration that will be attended by more than 600 PMC cyclists and volunteers.

The PMC is the most successful athletic fundraising event in the nation; it raises and contributes more money to charity than any other. The 2011 PMC exceeded its own fundraising goal of $34 million by $1 million. “PMC riders are committed to the cause and to this event,” said Billy Starr, PMC founder and executive director. “Their dedication to raising money for cancer research is unparalleled in the fundraising industry.”

The contribution represents 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar, a charity pass-through rate that is nearly unparalleled within the athletic fundraising event industry. Approximately 3,100 volunteers and 200 companies supplying almost $5 million in products and services provided riders with food, mechanical and medical assistance, luggage transport and support of all kinds

Last August, 5,169 cyclists from eight countries and 37 states rode one of 11 routes that ranged from 25 to 190 miles. Riders included seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, Massachusetts Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown, 350 cancer survivors, and avid cyclists and weekend warriors alike. Many rode in support of loved ones being treated for cancer or in memory of those who have been lost to the disease.

“PMC money is seed money that enables our scientists to conduct the earliest forms of research,” Benz said. “The money they raise is critical to our work. It enables us to invest in major new patient care and research initiatives that could otherwise go unfunded.”

Founded in 1980 when 36 cyclists rode across Massachusettsand raised $10,200 for the Jimmy Fund, the PMC is known today as the “gold standard” of athletic fundraising events due to the unprecedented sums it raises and its consistently efficient charity pass-through rate. One of the very first athletic fundraising events in the nation, the PMC was a pioneer in the way it focused on raising money for charity.

The 33rd annual PMC is set for Aug. 4 and 5, 2012. Registration opens online on Jan. 10 for PMC alumni and Jan. 17 for newcomers. For more information about the PMC, which is presented by the Boston Red Sox Foundation and New Balance, visit www.pmc.org.

Thank You !

Friends -
    Riding a bike 192 miles across Massachusetts every August is both challenging and rewarding. Yet for me, the PMC has become less about a long distance bike ride, and more about being a vehicle to raise money for cancer research and treatment. That being the case, I can’t emphasize enough the vital link that each of you represents in this glorious chain of philanthropy. Using the statistics from my 2011 fundraising efforts, let me tell you about you - my supporters.

• 131 individuals/families/businesses have pledged their support this year.
• The average pledge is $79, ranging from $5 to $1,000.
• Employer matching gifts total $955.
• Contributors reside in 22 states, and 2 countries.
• I have never met 5 of my supporters.
• There are 19 supporters who I have not seen in person for 15 or more years.
• I count 33 cancer survivors among my givers. I suspect there are more.
• I also suspect that the lives of 100% have been impacted by cancer.
• 21 of you have contributed for each of the 20 years I have ridden.
• As of today (8/16/11), we have raised $11,575.
• Our cumulative total for 20 years is $188,798.

   So as I reflect upon two decades of PMC participation I want to make sure that all of you know how profoundly grateful I am for your support. Small or big, yearly or every once in a while - and based upon whatever motivation you possess - each and every donation has meant a lot to me. But more importantly, each donation has moved us that much closer to the ultimate goal of a world without cancer. Thank you!
    You may have heard that Lance Armstrong participated in the PMC this year. As the global face of cancer advocacy via his Livestrong Foundation, Lance had some very interesting things to say during Friday evening’s opening ceremonies. Speaking to the gathered PMC riders, he said …

"People ask me all of the time how Livestrong is going. My immediate reaction is 'great', and that we've raised millions and millions to fight cancer. Then I step back and ask myself, 'Did I really say that it's great?' Well, we don't get to say that it's great. The day we get to say it's great is the day that they don't need us anymore.”

   The “us” that Lance mentions in the final sentence is of course organization like the PMC and Livestrong. And while completely understanding his sentiments, I have to take issue with Lance. Cancer diagnosis rates are down - Cure rates are up – and thanks to you, the PMC is going to raise another $30+ million this year to fund ongoing research and treatment. To me, that’s pretty great!

    Nonetheless, I do look forward to the day when I’m not needed anymore.

My Sincerest Thank You,

Bud Dodge

Pre PMC 2011

   20 consecutive years is a long time to do anything. So as I approached my second decade of PMCing, I felt compelled to come up with something that would appropriately mark the big milestone. I quickly ruled out another Friday New York border to Sturbridge ride which I did to mark my 10th PMC. The additional 93 miles, followed by the 192 mile PMC weekend, was a real challenge at the age of 41. So having gained some wisdom with age, I chose not to subject my legs, lungs and butt to the same pain 10 years hence.
    After mulling over a few other ideas, I finally settled on something - a tattoo of the PMC logo. Not a big one. A small 2 or 3 inch "Tat" (using the lingo already!) on my calf. Big enough to illustrate my commitment to the PMC, yet small enough so I won't be confused with your average NBA player.
    However, as I write this, I have to report that I am still tattoo-less. No, I didn't chicken out or get overruled by Kristen (she's all for it). Instead the local Tat shop turned me away because they would only do a Tat that would cover my entire calf. Not what I had in mind at all. So my search for the right artist continues because I still want to do this. I welcome thoughts from any of you out there who may be "inked".

PMC Logo

    Oh yes ... my training. I've had better years. As some of you know, I suffered through two separate bouts of kidney stones in May and then July. If you've had kidney stones, then you understand how you might not really want to ride a bike when it feels like you have a Ginsu knife stuck in your back/side. I'm happy to report that after something called a Lithotripsy, I am now A-OK! The final impact was that despite getting a requisite number of training miles under my belt (1,397), I missed a couple of the essential longer rides which have been a part of past preparation.

PMC Eve - 8/5/11

   I think it's pretty neat that after 20 years I still get butterflies in my stomach the day before the PMC starts. And this year I have to add that butterflies in the stomach is way better than kidney stones in the stomach!
    PMC Friday started with the usual cleaning and lubing of bikes with my brother-in-law Howard Metzger. Howard's commitment to the PMC is quite impressive. For 10 years he has travelled from his home in Canton OH (1,282 mile round trip) to participate in the PMC. In his fundraising letter, Howard explains his long distance PMC participation ...

"As a family physician rarely a week goes by where I don’t interact with someone

whose life has been affected by cancer. I strive to defeat this diagnosis any way

possible via screening, diagnosing, referring and yes by riding in the PMC."

Howard and I ready to ride!

    Later in the day, Kristen, Howard and I drove to the PMC start in Sturbridge. Do not ever expect to secure a hotel room within 25 miles of Sturbridge on the first Friday evening in August. The 3,000ish PMC riders who start their weekend ride there guarantee "No Vacancy" signs everywhere you look. After checking in to our hotel, we met up with roomies and riding partners Larry Gagnon and Meg Hausman. Larry is without doubt the strongest rider of our bunch, as evidenced by his 78 mile Friday "warm up" ride from his home in Bedford NH to Sturbridge. If Larry is the strongest rider, then Meg is the strongest willed. In 2005 Meg was diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet in a feat that gives me goose bumps to this day, she completed the entire 192 miles of the PMC nine (9) days after undergoing a lateral mastectomy. Her three male PMC roommates are no where near that tough.
<><><>     <><><>  <><>

Larry, Meg and I - Will we still be smiling after 192 miles?

    PMC registration is nothing less than a finely choreographed ballet. 3,000+ riders are ushered through The Sturbridge Host Hotel function hall, picking up their hospital-like wrist ID bands, water battles and colorful riding jerseys. I digress, but cycling is really the only sport where the more odd and garish the clothing, the better off the wearer is. Yes those spandex shorts are odd looking on us (some more than others), but think of wearing the alternative for 192 miles. Likewise, the shirts are typically ugly and/or wild colors, but they certainly help motorists to see us more easily.
    Next it's on to the 2011 PMC merchandise tables. Many people have asked me if all of my clothing has the PMC logo on it. My answer is, "Not quite - but I'll get there".
    I am always sad when Kristen has to leave to go home after the carb loading dinner. She should be able to share in more of the fun. Very few of you understand how much that she does as a PMC spouse. Bike training time and the PMC weekend itself is potential together time that Kristen willingly sacrifices. On top of that, there is the administration piece - stuffing envelopes, going to the post office, maintaining spreadsheets, etc, etc. "A horror show" would be too mild of a term to describe things if all of that were ever my responsibility. I ride the bike, but Kristen does so much more than that. So when we trade our mutual PMC related thank yous - me thanking you for contributing, and you thanking me for riding - please also thank Kristen for the huge role that she plays in this PMC thing.
<><><>     <><>

My lovely wife. Boy ... Did I overachieve or what!

    WCVB Channel 5 is this year's media sponsor of the PMC. We watched their "Chronicle" special on the PMC from our room. A lighter, breezier show than I expected. Hope that you enjoyed it if you watched. I've got to say that I much preferred the prequel to "Chronicle". I'm afraid that I've failed in my attempts to link the video to to this blog (ie: My teenagers aren't home to show me how to do it). However, if you go to www.pmc.org you will find the video at the bottom of the front page. Even if you choose to skip the words of PMC founder Billy Starr, Dana Farber President Ed Benz and Lance Armstrong - Do not miss the stirring words of rider Tym Rourke starting at the 31 minute, 30 second mark - That's what my PMC is all about.
    Saturday's wake up call is at 4am, so I've no shame admitting that I was in bed at 830pm

PMC Day #1 8/6/11 - Sturbridge to Bourne - 110 Miles

    "Ride Bikes"
    Not sure how or when it got started, but those are always the first words out of Larry Gagnon's mouth when the alarm sounds at 4am on PMC mornings. While I am never as chipper as Larry, I will admit that my eyes opened easier this morning in anticipation of a day filled with the challenges which for 19 previous years have proved very rewarding. As I finish dressing, I remembered the two things that I know that I can't do without under any circumstances. Two simple band-aids which I "place pectorally" if you know what I mean. "Chesticular Chaffing" can ruin a perfectly good day.
    With a few thousand riders dressed to ride, breakfast in the convention hall provides a great opportunity to critique this year's riders jersey. As you can see from the photos, a blue/orange/black combination that I think is rather sharp looking. A bagel and a banana makes up my breakfast, then it's off to the start line. Not sure what her name is, but the singer of the national anthem was outstanding. Nailing the notes that she hit at 515am can't be easy. Riders self-place themselves in one of three starting lanes - I believe called "fast", "steady" and "casual". I place myself at the end of the "fast" lane. Shortly before the start, a flurry of flashbulbs near the front of the group signified the photo opportunity with 2011 celebrity riders Lance Armstrong and Senators Kerry and Brown. Ready - Set - Go!

Riders depart at 530am from pre-dawn Sturbridge

PMC Glitterati - John Kerry, Lance Armstrong, Billy Starr, Scott Brown

    The first 40 miles out of Sturbridge are often crowded and quite hilly. These reasons, along with my so so training, made conservative pacing a prudent choice. It was during this stretch that I passed 25 year rider Albert Kupcinskas. I met Albert during my first PMC in 1992. When Albert told me that he had just turned 68 years of age, I thought to myself, "Damn, I've got to ride for another 17 years? Sure hope that cancer is cured before that". 
    Rest stops are found at roughly 20-25 mile intervals along the course. I choose to skip the first stop again - it's just too early to get off the bike. Instead, I stop at Franklin/42 miles where Kristen is waiting. Rest stops represent a fine line. You need to be there long enough to eat, re-sun screen, stretch and re-fill water bottles. However, lingering too long can cause muscles to seize.

Volunteers make PMC rest stops all kinds of fun

    The Dighton-Rehoboth lunch stop is at 69 miles. It's here where many of the Holliston PMC riders touch base. This year's contingent consisted of Don Fried-Tanzer, Paul Gillespie, Kevin Wehmhoefer, Jack Connors and volunteers Pam and Will McColl. We also got to see Kristen, Kate Connors and Nancy Fried-Tanzer there. A great group of folks who we really like.

Holliston boys at lunch - Don Fried Tanzer, Paul Gillespie, Kevin Wehmhoefer, Me, Jack Connors

    I hitched up with the aforementioned Larry Gagnon for the remainder of the afternoon. Larry would make a wonderful politician, because he flip flops like a fish on dry land! He has this annoying habit of saying that he's not going to ride fast and then setting off on a torid pace. I share the blame in these instances because - for a limited time - I can crank it up and hang on to Larry's back wheel for all I'm worth. That's what happened from miles 69 through 100. It was if I had a bungee cord attached to Larry's bike.

Larry and I are way too New Hampshire to pull off the Rapper thing

    The 83 mile Lakeville stop is special as it hosts the Pedal Partner tent. There are a large number of teams that ride the PMC, and each team is coupled with a Pedal Partner. Pedal Partners are pediatric cancer patients who are being treated at the Dana Farber. As you enter the stop, there are poster size photos of each Pedal Partner by the side of the road. I make it a point to slow down and look at each photo, then I count my blessings for the health of my own kids.

Pedal Partner tent in Lakeville. It's why we ride.

    The final 10 miles of Day #1 were covered at a strong, yet more sane pace. I was happy to finally see something other than Larry's read-end ... specifically the finish line. 
    Saturday afternoon and evening are spent at The Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne. I've often joked that the PMC weekend is the only time where you can ride a bike 192 miles and still gain weight. That is because of the varied and plentiful food choices. My own caloric recovery consisted of 2 cheeseburgers, 2 baked potatoes, 2 slices of pizza, 1 salad, 4 chocolate chip cookies, 4 waters, 2 energy drinks, and 1 Pepsi. Then there is the glorious massage which is provided by a group of therapists who donate their time and services. While only 15 minutes in duration, they sure hit the spot - in fact they hit many spots.

Howard after a tough 110 mile day - We all look like this at some point during the weekend

    As we prepared for bed (830pm lights out in the bunkhouse!), each of us was aware of the Sunday forecast of 70% rain. As my eyes shut, I heard the first drops of rain falling outside the dorm window. Yuck!

Statistics - 110 miles covered, 6hrs 4mins on the bike, 18.1 average mph.

PMC Day #2 8/7/11 - Bourne to Provincetown - 82 Miles

   I've always believed that karma is for real, and earned based upon good deeds or bad. So that is why it did not surprise me much when the night long rain stopped shortly after 4am reveille, and more importantly before we had to get on our bikes. That's not the first time something like that has happened. I can think of a number of instances over the years where the PMC has dodged forecasts of poor weather. Call it divine intervention, good karma, or anything that you want to. At 515am I was just really happy to get on a dry bike and drying roads.
   Sunday morning preparation consists, of course, of pulling on my Names Shirt (see below). Most of you are already familiar with the cycling jersey that I have been wearing on day #2 of the PMC since 1997. It is emblazoned with the names of roughly 150 cancer survivors/ victims/fighters that you have told me about. After 14 years of service, this version of the shirt may be retired this year. Not to worry, as the tradition will continue.

My Names Shirt - Each name is an inspiration

   The day #2 riding begins with a pre-dawn climb up and over the Bourne bridge, followed by a quick 5ish miles along the flat canal path. Next up are the rolling hills of the Service Road which parallels Route 6. The Service Road is the biking equivalent of a roller coaster. Descents are followed immediately by a climb. If you play your cards right, you can gain enough speed on your descent to carry you up most of the next climb. Given the fact that my 230 lbs performs really well with gravity on my side (downhills!), I make very certain to take advantage of this law of inertia/momentum/whatever (I failed physics).

... and it's this type of a diet that allows me to shine on the downhills

   I witnessed a few more accidents than usual heading in to the mile 40 / Brewster rest stop. It was pointed out to me that the breakdown lane white line had recently been done over with reflective road paint. This type of paint, coupled with still damp roads, is not always conducive to upright cycling. However, in the whole scheme of things the PMC is a very safe event. Post ride statistics for Sunday showed that out of thousands of cyclists, there were 7 crashes, 2 riders suffered concussions were transported and released, and 1 rider was transported to Boston due to a hip fracture.
   12 years ago, 3 year old cancer survivor Jack O'Riordan stood at the entrance of the Brewster rest stop holding a sign which read,

“Thank you! I am 3 because of you!”

Jack returned the following year having crossed out the "3" and replaced it with "4". The sign was updated similarly year after year, with Jack's PMC celebrity status growing right along with his age and size. Riders literally waited in line to have their picture taken with Jack and his annually evolving sign. Jack turned 15 this year, the minimum age for PMC riders. So instead of Jack holding his sign at Brewster this year, here is what we saw when we arrived ...



     The next section of the course travels along part of the Cape Cod rail trail. Wide, newly paved and without cars it is a real treat to ride here. It is also where I first felt that my lack of solid training hurt me. So instead of cranking along this section at 23+ mph as I did last year, I was perfectly content to allow the stronger Paul Gillespie pull me through my rough patch at somewhere closer to 20 mph.
   The final 20 mile segment from Welfleet to the Provincetown finish has always been one of celebration for me. It's a chance to gather together and finish with all of my riding pals who may not have shared the same pace up until this point. Also a chance to give thanks for having the ability and the opportunity ride a bike 192 while making a difference. Lastly, a chance to reflect upon all of those wonderful people who have supported my PMC efforts through their words and deeds.
   So as I crossed the PTown finish line for the 20th time, I experienced the same two emotions that I always have upon completing my prior PMC's. Pride for a job well done, and Relief that I can finally separate my sore rear end from the hard saddle. Perhaps at the end of my 25th PMC I'll be more reflective and deep as I cross the finish line - but then again maybe not - because with me it's real simple ... I love riding a bike, and I hate cancer.
 

Larry, Meg, Howard and I at the PTown finish line

   Statistics - 82 miles covered, 4hrs 25mins on the bike, 17.2 average mph. 

Postscript Day #1
   A hot shower and lots of food are the first two orders of business once I arrive in PTown. Having taken care of that,  Meg, Howard, Larry and I set off on foot for PTown center and the ferry boat that would bring us back to Boston. Well, the skies opened up in a big way as we walked to the boat.  But you know what - that was perfectly fine because PMC 2011 had already come to an end. Anyone still not buying my divine intervention/good karma theory?