Evanston Residents Join World's Largest Fundraiser For Cancer Research

EVANSTON, IL — Three Evanston residents will join more than 6,800 cyclists participating in a two-day bike-a-thon across Massachusetts to raise money for cancer research this August.

The 46th Pan-Mass Challenge is a bike-a-thon that today raises more money for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute than any other single athletic fundraiser event in the world, officials said. The event has raised over $1 billion since its founding in 1980, and raised a record-breaking $75 million in 2024.

“Thanks to the determination of PMC riders, volunteers, donors, and sponsors, we are Closer By the Mile to funding the cures for cancer,” said Billy Starr, PMC Founder and Chairman. “Our collective impact demonstrates what is possible when people rally around a shared mission. Now, the PMC community is focused on raising the next billion.”

This year, 20 riders from Illinois will participate in the challenge, including three from Evanston. Evanstonians Christian Beaudoin, Eric Kaplan and Nicholas Zigerelli will pedal anywhere from 25 to 186 miles and raise as much money as possible.

According to PMC, most participants ride in honor of loved ones fighting cancer, and 1,100 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or patients themselves. As Dana-Farber's single largest donor, the PMC has helped fund decades of breakthroughs and the development of FDA-approved cancer drugs.

There is still time to sign up to join this year's PMC for 2025, as registration closes on June 30 for riders and volunteers.