Short Hills Resident Will Ride To Raise Money For Cancer

MILLBURN, NJ — Five local people, including a Short Hills man, are riding in this year's Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Massachusetts.

Some are riding in honor of loved ones, and others are celebrating being cancer-free.

The bike-a-thon Aug. 6 and 7 will include more than 6,000 riders, including Stephen Rasch of Short Hills.

Kristen Sigler of Glen Ridge, Jennifer Hanawald from Montclair, Hans Arnesen from Newark, , and Linda Sterling from West Orange are also on the roster.

Rasch said, "I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100 percent of rider-raised revenue went directly tosupport the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure."

Sigler said, "I'm riding in memory of my brother, Todd Fertig. He passed away after battling pancreatic cancer for 6 short weeks. I need to do this ride and raise money for cancer research
because I don’t want anyone in my life to ever have to hear the words, 'I’m sorry, but there is nothing left for us to do to treat your loved one.' Raising at least $5,000 is going to be hard. I can’t do it alone."

Last year, the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) broke a record for fundraising with $66 million raised. In the 42 years of the Challenge, the PMC has raised $831 million for Dana-Farber.

Rasch had raised $9,000 as of Tuesday morning. You can click the names of the riders above to donate to them and hear more about their stories.

Michelle Rotuno-Johnson contributed to this story.