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Community Corner

Pan Mass Riders Need Encouragement as They ride through Medfield on Saturday

Medfield residents are asked to stand out and cheer on PMC riders -- including members of Medfield's Boole family -- as they pass through the streets of Medfield on Saturday morning, August 4th.

 

On Saturday morning, August 4, thousands of bicycles will be on the streets of Medfield as part of the 33rd Annual Pan-Mass Challenge.

This will be the sixth Pan-Mass Challenge for Medfield resident, Kathy Boole who, along with her son, Matt, and her daughter, Sarah, will ride from Wellesley to Bourne (84 miles) each raising a minimum of $3,100 to support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  

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Boole is a breast cancer survivor and she was encouraged by her doctors while going through her cancer treatments to ride with them.  She never thought she could do it, but they gave her the confidence to give it a try.

“I always liked to bike ride and always had the thought of riding in some big bike event, but it was just a thought,” said Boole.

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A couple of years later, when she felt healthy, she began training.  Her first Pan-Mass Challenge was in 2007 with her son, Eric, and a good friend at her side.  She took on this challenge and rode.  She hasn’t looked back since. 

“Since last year’s PMC, five people that were close to me have died from cancer.  I ride because I am healthy enough to do so, and I’m very grateful to be alive.  Riding and training is keeping me healthy but riding in this also teaches all of us how important it is to give back,” said Boole.

She went on to say, “One of the wonderful things about this fundraising event is there is no overhead!  All the money raised goes to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  They are leading the charge in research and what they do affects cancer in the world.  Their research helped me.”

The riders have dedicated many hours, days and months to prepare for this event.   

Pan-Mass riders train all year round this for event, but as Boole said, “It is a sacrifice to train and dedicate the time to this, but I know I’m doing it for a good reason.” 

Boole's husband and family will be in front of the Post Office to cheer her on.

If you are not riding in the challenge, you can participate by cheering on these dedicated individuals and show your support, thanks and encouragement as they pass through our town.  You can hold a sign, shout out "Thanks!", or just clap your hands as they pass by.

Riders leave Wellesley at 7 a.m. and will arrive in Medfield at 7:30 a.m. or later.

They will travel Harding Street to North Street, cross the center of town to Pleasant Street, turn left onto Curve Street, then turn right onto South Street, cross Route 27, and continue on South Street into Norfolk.

Riders will also travel through Medfield on Sunday morning with a slightly different route. 

For more information or how to get involved or donate, look on their website.  Donations are being accepted through September.

About the Pan-Mass Challenge 

According to www.pmc.org, the PMC is a pioneer in the athletic fundraising event industry and today raises more money for charity than any other in the country. On August 4 and 5, 2012, 5,500 cyclists will travel one of 11 routes, logging between 25 and 190 miles over one or two days, through 46 Massachusetts cities and towns. Their collective goal is to raise $36 million for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund and bring the organization's 33-year fundraising total to more than $374 million. For more information about the PMC, call 800-WE-CYCLE or visit www.pmc.org.

Today, the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country. The PMC generates half of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue and it is Dana-Farber's single largest contributor. Over the past 32 years, PMC cyclists have ridden to raise and contributed $338 million to cancer research.

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