Young Easton Tumor Survivor Pedaling for Cancer Research In PMC

EASTON, MA — A young girl from Easton is participating in 2021's Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for cancer research after battling her own tumor at just six years old.

Emma Murphy was just six years old, she was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor, a type of childhood cancer that starts in the kidneys. After the diagnosis, Murphy said she wanted to get involved in something that would make a positive impact on her life.

Murphy participated in the PMC Pedal Partner Program, where patients act as the inspiration and motivation for riders and fundraisers.

As she continued her treatment, Murphy began riding in the PMC Kids Rides program, even becoming an advocate in her own right, providing hope and inspiration all along the way.

On Sunday, September 19, hundreds of children will hop on their bikes in their own homes for this year's PMC Kids Ride program, giving them the opportunity to join thousands of adult PMC riders in their mission to fund patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber.

PMC Kids Rides are mini bike-a-thons that engage children ages 2 to 15 in philanthropy in a safe and athletic way.

This virtual PMC Kids Ride for PMC Pedal Partners will contribute to the PMC's $56 million fundraising goal for 2021, 100% of which will directly go to lifesaving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber.

Since 1980, the PMC has raised over $767 million for Dana-Farber. Since the first ride in 1998, the PMC Kids Rides program has raised more than $10 million.

A Wilms tumor is a type of childhood cancer that starts in the kidneys and is the most common type of kidney cancer in children.