Several Morris Co. Residents Will Ride In Pan-Mass Challenge

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Six Morris County residents 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).

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.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the PMC has raised more than $114 million for Dana-Farber, bringing its total contribution to $831 million in 42 years.

"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.

"We are so inspired by the dedication of our riders, volunteers, donors, sponsors and community members throughout the last two challenging years and can't wait to see everyone on the road this August for the 43rd PMC," Starr said.

PMC 2022 will include 16 routes — from 25 to 210 miles — designed to cater to all levels of cycling and fundraising ability.

The majority of riders ride in memory of a family member or friend who is fighting cancer, and more than 800 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or current patients.

More than 150 Dana-Farber employees are committed to the cause as riders and volunteers as well, in some cases to fund their own cancer research.

The race takes place in Needham, Massachusetts. Here are the riders coming from Morris County:

Butler

• Valerie Whritenour: See Whritenour's donation page here.
  • "I’m celebrating 7 years cancer free in May by completing one of the biggest challenges I have faced since my diagnosis of Breast Cancer in 2015. I’m going to ride the Pan Mass Challenge this August - pedaling my bicycle 192 miles in 2 days," Whritenour said.

Cedar Knolls

• Bruce Levy: See Levy's donation page here.
  • "This is my 12th year participating in this event. What started as a tribute to honor my life-long friend, Jon Weiss, together with mutual friends, has grown into a family of like-minded people riding together as "Team Big Jon," Levy said.
• Steven Rapp: See Rapp's donation page here.
  • "I think for almost all of us, cancer has touched us in one way or another. In 2014 I lost my mother to cancer at the young age of 76. She was two days shy of making it to her and my Dad's 50th wedding Anniversary. I am also riding in memory of my Aunt Joan who lost a hard fought battle with cancer in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic," Rapp said.

Madison

• Bill Johnson: See Johnson's donation page here.
  • "I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure," Johnson said.

Mendham

• Thomas Fuller: See Fuller's donation page here.
  • "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.

Morristown

• Per Sivertsson: See Sivertsson's donation page here.
  • "Our community was always there for Hedda as she was fighting medulloblastoma (brain tumor); we had the school band showing up outside our house, we had dog parades along our street, we had scout troops parading by, we had all the school teams in jerseys with her name and we had our ski race team competing for her and so did the competing race teams as well. I wish for all children and families fighting cancer to know that we are there for them and that they are loved," Sivertsson said.

You can learn more about the PMC on its website.