Published in the August 2, 2017 edition.

LYNNFIELD — This weekend, 13 riders from Lynnfield will cycle up to 192 miles in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) with the goal of raising $48 million for critical research and cancer care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

More than 6,200 cyclists from over 40 states and eight countries will return to Massachusetts to participate in the PMC, choosing from 12 routes of varying mileage that run through 46 towns. Cyclists range from 15 to 84 years old and run the gamut from seasoned triathletes to weekend warriors who trained for this event alone, and everything in between.

There are 13 Lynnfield residents cycling in this weekend’s PMC. They are David Richman, Paul Nardone, Erika Young, John Mitchell, Lauren Mitchell, Carol Cohee, Michael Juliano, Peter Cash, Mike Neville, Scott Hardiman, Bill Leahy, David Rogers and Julianne DeLuca.

Every cent DeLuca raises will go to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where she works as a grant manager for Dr. Carl Novina, a creative scientist who has shown great success at turning early stage data into larger programs supported by federal grants. Fighting cancer became personal to DeLuca when both of her parents succumbed to this cruel disease only four years apart.

“We are thrilled to be approaching our 38th PMC ride weekend. Seeing our growth over the years has been truly incredible and we look forward to achieving our fundraising goal of $48 million for Dana-Farber,” said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC. “We want to wish all of our riders and volunteers a safe and enjoyable ride weekend. I’ll see everyone out on the road.”

Many riders participate in the PMC to honor a family member or friend lost to, or being treated for, cancer. More than 600 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or current patients, considered “living proof” of the PMC mission to find a cure. The average cyclist trains for three months, solicits 40 sponsors and raises more than $7,000. Volunteers, spectators, donors and sponsors are part of the camaraderie on ride weekend, all working together toward a cure.

No other single athletic event raises or contributes more money to charity than the PMC. Since 1980, the PMC has raised $547 million dollars for Dana-Farber through the Jimmy Fund, its fundraising arm. In fact, the PMC is Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor, raising more than 52 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue.

The Red Sox Foundation and New Balance present the PMC. To make a financial contribution to a rider from one’s town or to become a virtual rider, visit www.pmc.org, or call 800-We-Cycle. Donors can connect with #PanMass2017 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.

About PMC

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the world. Billy Starr, who remains the event’s executive director, founded the PMC in 1980.

The PMC has since raised $547 million for adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. The event donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause. The PMC generates more than 52 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue and is Dana-Farber’s single largest contributor. The PMC has successfully melded support from committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual contributors. All are essential to the PMC’s goal and model: to attain maximum fundraising efficiency while increasing its annual gift.

The PMC’s hope and aspiration is to provide Dana-Farber’s doctors and researchers with the necessary resources to discover cures for all cancers. For more information on the Pan-Mass Challenge, visit www.pmc.org.