Residents Help Raise Millions for Dana Farber

Thirteen Grafton residents, Kelly Annis, David Cooper, Dawn Geoffroy, Patrick Heffernan, Laurie Herndon, Kristin Hunt, Kim Kastler, Kerry Leonard, William Leonard, John Liller, Joseph O’Brien, Michael Roseen, and David White, raised $41,012 of the $35 million donated by the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.

They were among 5,169 cyclists who rode up to 190 miles across Massachusetts to raise money for cancer research and treatment. 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.

The PMC is the most successful athletic fundraising event in the nation; it raises and contributes more money to charity than any other. In August, 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.

The 2011 PMC exceeded its own fundraising goal of $34 million by $1 million.

The 33rd annual PMC is set for Aug. 4 and 5. 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.