2 Scotch Plains Bicyclists To Ride In Pan-Mass Challenge

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Two Scotch Plains residents will join more than 6,000 riders who are taking part a two-day 211-mile bike-a-thon across Massachusetts called the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC).

The bike-a-thon will take place on Aug. 7 and 8 with a goal of raising $52 million for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dana-Farber).

James Chitty and Joseph Hesson both of Scotch Plains are taking part in the event, which has 16 different routes, spanning between 25 and 211 miles.

Chitty, who has a $5,500 goal with $2,051 raised as of July 21, says he rides for the hope of all who have battled with the challenges of cancer.

"I was at the bedside of my sister Bonnie with my nephew BJ and my brother David as we watched her take her last breath. Despite seeing much of what this world can throw at you, there was no preparation for this moment yet I am grateful that I was there. I can only hope that our presence was a comfort to her as she passed into the Peace that finally found her after her fight against lung cancer," said Chitty.

Chitty has ridden every year since 2016 raising more than $20,000 in total.

See Chitty's donation page here.

Hesson has a $6,000 goal with $755 raised as of July 21. He says he is riding in honor of his sister Jane Obie who died from colon cancer in 2017 at the age of 57.

"I am riding this race in her memory as well as Catherine Bryner ( Aunt ) and Fr Peter Sullivan (cousin) both of whom passed away from this terrible disease before the age of 40. I am riding for all the people along the route who are cancer survivors or currently suffering," said Hesson.

Hesson has ridden every year since 2018 raising more than $13,000 in total.

See Hesson's donation page here.

Every dollar that riders raise goes to Dana-Farber's Jimmy Fund, with the Pan-Mass Challenge raising 64 percent of the fund's yearly monies, according to a news release from PMC.

There are over 6,000 riders from 47 states and 11 countries participating in the PMC in 2021.

"We couldn't be more excited to bring our passionate PMC riders, volunteers, donors and sponsors back together in person for PMC Ride Weekend this year," said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC. "With fully supported routes and Reimagined options, everyone can customize their PMC experience to join us in the fight against cancer. Cancer doesn’t stop for anything, even a global pandemic, and funding for research, treatment and care is as critical as ever."

See all of the New Jersey riders participating this year:

• Allendale - Cheryl Rubin
• Asbury - Todd Hengerer
• Avalon - Walter Locke
• Basking Ridge - Brett Anders, Seldon Clarke
• Brookside - Laura Vigilante
• Califon - Eric Schlauch
• Cedar Knolls - Bruce Levy
• Steven Rapp - Edison, Richard Hoffman
• Glen Rock - Frank Gaul
• Hoboken - Anders Conrad, Debbie Jacobus, Elizabeth Palmer
• Jersey City - Caroline Petner
• Lawrence Township - Dorothy Vaughan, Kyle Hammerschmidt, Stephen Murray
• Madison - John Formica, Bill Johnson
• Manasquan - Jeffrey Brown, Nicholas Papa
• Mendham - Thomas Fuller
• Montclair - Margo Walter
• Montville - Mike Kalfus
• Morristown - Brian Cove, Gregory Sauter, Carl Symecko, Brent Van Fossan, Per Sivertsson
• New Providence - Carl Bagish
• Oakland - Nicole Aubuchon
• Park Ridge - Kathy Mccullough-Widmer
• Princeton - Lauren Ullmann
• Ridgewood - Dan Lafrance, Paul Mckeon
• Saddle River - Frederick Barney
• Scotch Plains - James Chitty, Joseph Hesson
• Short Hills -Ben Campbell, Brett Cohen
• Springfield -David Ehrlich, Scott Kessel
• Summit - Fiona Bowen, Mark Brenner, Michael Cornell, Jerry Strabley, Terry Thompson
• Wayne - Ashley Montesano
• West Orange - Linda Sterling
• Westmont -Kevin Nowak
• Whitehouse Station - Bob Schoenfeld

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 #PMC2021 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.