Mendham Cyclist Gearing Up For Annual Pan-Mass Challenge

MENDHAM, NJ — One Mendham resident will join more than 6,000 riders who are taking part in a two-day bike-a-thon across Massachusetts called the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC).

The bike-a-thon will take place on Aug. 6 and 7, with the goal of raising $66 million for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dana-Farber).

Mendham resident Thomas Fuller will participate in the event, which has 16 different routes ranging from 25 to 211 miles.

The bike-a-thon is the nation's single most successful athletic fundraiser, donating 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Last year's event raised $66 million for cancer research.

Fuller, who has a goal of $10,000 with $8,265 raised as of July 29, says this will be 20th consecutive Pan Mass Challenge he has ridden.

"In completing this 200-mile cycling odyssey across Massachusetts, I will continue to play my part in the fight against cancer and I invite you to join me in honoring all those we’ve lost and those still battling cancer," said Fuller. "Not only am I a PMC “Living Proof” Rider, but very close friends, as well as numerous members of my immediate family, have battled different forms of this disease. Some have battled and won, some are fighting right now, and sadly some have lost though live strong in my heart every day."

See Fuller's donation page here.

Since its inception in 1980, the PMC has raised $831 million for adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund.

Every dollar that riders raise goes to Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund, with the Pan-Mass Challenge raising 55 percent of the fund's yearly monies, according to a news release from PMC.

"We're coming off of a record-breaking fundraising year for Dana-Farber, and we're thrilled to be 'back in the saddle' this summer, bringing our PMC community together for our first traditional PMC weekend since 2019 with our sights set on making an even bigger impact in the fight against cancer," said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC.

To make a financial contribution to a rider from your town or to register as a rider, visit pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Connect with #PMC2022 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.