6,800 dedicated riders, 3,000 yearly volunteers, over 175 rigorous miles. One epic event. The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is only days away, and we’re gearing up (both literally and figuratively) for a weekend of fitness, fun, and fundraising!
Beginning over 40 years ago, the PMC is a two-day cycling event that raises money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute with 100% of every rider-raised dollar going directly to Dana-Farber. In fact, the Pan-Mass Challenge raises more money for charity than any other single athletic event in the country! Since its inception, that is more than $767 million dollars!
Meet Declan- A MVPT Patient, PMC Rider and Cancer Survivor
Declan Rourke is a patient in our MVPT Bedford office, where he’s been working with our team of physical therapists to prepare for a pretty big event in his life.
Declan is extraordinary, hardworking, and tenacious! As an infant, Declan was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive, fast-growing brain tumor called an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT). There are only about 30 cases of this tumor diagnosed in the United States each year, and the survival rate is around 10%. Declan was diagnosed as an infant in 2006, and thanks in part to the care he’s received through Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, he’s one of the longest known survivors of AT/RT in the U.S.
So what brings sixteen-year-old Declan to MVPT? He’s preparing to participate in the PMC this summer! The PMC is an annual road cycling event that raises more money for charity than any other event in the country. On the first weekend of August every year, cyclists ride between 25-211 miles across Massachusetts over the course of two days to raise money to fight cancer. This is Declan’s first-time riding in the PMC. Previously, he’s participated in the Greater Manchester Kids PMC ride and has participated as a Pedal Partner—a program that pairs PMC teams and riders with pediatric cancer patients at the Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund Clinic. The program offers an inspiring opportunity for riders and patients to connect during treatment and in the years that follow.
Riding alongside his mother, Mel Pepin, Declan will be raising funds for Dana-Farber.
“Our journey with Dana-Farber began in 2006, when Declan was diagnosed with an AT/RT brain tumor,” said Mel. “Our family has walked in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk and raised funds for brain tumor research for years. Declan, now a long-term survivor of his cancer, was a Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk Hero, and then became a PMC Pedal Partner with the ‘Stem Cell Cyclist’ team and ‘Team Kermit.’”
Declan had a unique connection to Team Kermit, which unfolded as an amazing story.
“The year we met Steven Branfman (Captain of Team Kermit) at PMC, we realized that our families were supporting and funding the same cancer research,” said Mel. “Team Kermit was formed for Steven’s son Jared, who lost his battle with cancer. Jared was never able to ride the PMC and the team now rides in his memory.”
As Mel and Declan prepare to ride this year, Declan will be riding Jared’s bike—a bike that will cross the PMC finish line for the very first time. Today, thanks to Dana-Farber and funds raised by cancer walks and rides like the PMC, Declan is a long-term AT/RT survivor and ready to inspire children and families fighting AT/RT. Once encouraged by the riders of PMC, Declan will now inspire other children and families fighting the same battle. We’re excited to share his story and will continue to provide updates about his progress preparing for PMC.
If you’d like to support Declan on his quest to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer, please visit his PMC donation page!
Bay State Physical Therapy is the Official Physical Therapy Partner of PMC
We are so proud of our sister company, Bay State Physical Therapy, for being the Official Physical Therapy Partner for the Pan-Mass Challenge. Our company will spend the weekend of August 7-8 providing exceptional health and wellness services to participants at various stops along the route. We also have a team of cyclists that will ride together to represent Bay State Physical Therapy as they raise desperately needed funds for Dana Farber Cancer Institute and show their support for patients and families impacted by cancer.
“This is one of our company’s favorite times of the year—a time where we can put aside our day-to-day business dealings to simply focus on making a positive impact on our community,” says President & CEO, Steven Windwer, PT, DC. “We’re thrilled to partner with PMC for this event for our fourth year in a row, and can’t wait to help all the courageous participants, including our Bay State PT PMC Riding Team, cross the finish line as we raise funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.”
Why We Support Pan-Mass Challenge
Here at MVPT Physical Therapy, our core values are anchored in supporting the health and wellbeing of the communities we are a part of. Propelled by our mission to promote sustainable wellness, we aim to support our local communities and charitable organizations by providing innovative education courses, volunteering our quality physical therapy services, attending events, and participating in fundraising opportunities.
Even when the world was shaken by a global pandemic, our employees stepped up to do their part for this life-saving event. In 2020, while participating in PMC Reimagined (a virtual reinvention of the traditional PMC), our riding team raised $52,446 for Dana-Farber during our PMC initiatives!
This year, with a fundraising goal of $60,000, riders Jenn McBride (Bay State PT-Foxboro), Cara Gaziano (Bay State PT-Weymouth), Lexi Windwer (Bay State PT-Weymouth), Erin Doherty (Bay State Corporate Resource Center), Sara Ryan (MVPT Marketing), and Holly & Adam Petersen will ride 175 miles in honor and memory of friends, family, coworkers, and patients.
“Last year was my first year as a rider in PMC, and the energy was intoxicating” says Erin Doherty, Marketing Manager at the Bay State Physical Therapy’s Corporate Resource Center. “Even though we rode with only our team due to COVID-19 restrictions, the support and encouragement from volunteers, spectators, friends, and family along the way was exhilarating and profound. I’m extremely excited to experience a return to a more normal PMC this year!”
What We Have Planned for PMC 2021
On Saturday, August 7, our Bay State PT PMC Riding Team will be riding a 75 mile “reimagined” route and are encouraging those that are interested to join us for a segment of the ride. Our reimagined route will include stops in Foxboro, West Bridgewater, Halifax, Abington and Weymouth at some of the Bay State PT clinics. FOLLOW THE TEAM ON THEIR SATURDAY ROUTE. As part of the Wellesley Century route, on Sunday August 8th our team will be starting and ending at Babson College, and logging 100 miles as we pass through many of the towns we serve, such as Needham, Westwood, Walpole, Foxboro and Easton. FOLLOW THE TEAM ON THEIR SUNDAY ROUTE. If there is a spot along the route that is convenient to you, we encourage you to join us curbside to cheer on all the riders on Sunday.
We’ll be following our riding team throughout the big weekend on our Instagram and Facebook pages! So, show your love and support by liking and commenting on our social media posts to be a part of the journey. If you capture PMC pictures along the route over the weekend, tag us on social media, @baystatept, and use the hashtag #wePMCwithBSPT to share your snapshots!
Join Our Fundraising Efforts for Dana-Farber
If you’d like to make a difference in the fight against cancer, please consider a donation and show of support to our Bay State PT Pan-Mass Challenge Riding Team. Please visit their fundraising page here to help fund a cure! Fundraising continues until October, so please consider supporting our team and this fantastic cause!
