Pan-Mass Challenge announces record-setting gift to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, bringing the 35 year total to $455 million

News provided by

Nov 08, 2014, 07:55 ET

NEEDHAM, Mass., Nov. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) today announced a record gift of $41 million to support adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund, bringing the PMC's 35-year Jimmy Fund contribution to $455 million. This is the largest sum ever raised by a single athletic fundraising event.

This incredible total was raised by 5,500 cyclists who participated in one of the PMC's twelve routes on Aug. 2 and 3, 2014. The annual bike-a-thon attracts riders from across the world, 300 of whom are cancer survivors or current patients. Cyclists commit to raising between $500 and $5,000, minimums exceeded by ninety percent of riders; one-third raise more than twice the amount required.

"Our riders are incredibly passionate about riding and finding cures for cancer," said PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr. "We all share a special camaraderie, built by the shared experiences of training, riding and understanding the impacts of cancer personally or otherwise. It's this bond that makes our unprecedented achievements in support of cancer research and Dana-Farber so extraordinary."

"We are profoundly grateful to the PMC and the riders who, year after year, demonstrate an unparalleled partnership and commitment to our work," said Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD, president, Dana-Farber. "PMC support has enabled Dana-Farber to make crucial investments in exciting areas of genomics, immunotherapy, chemistry, and patient care. The PMC makes it possible for us to recruit and retain superlative young faculty whose energy and creativity are changing the face of cancer care. Today, these investments are paying dividends in increasing knowledge about the biology of cancer, new and improved therapies, and better quality of life for people with cancer at Dana-Farber, and around the world."

Over the past three years, the PMC has set new milestones for fundraising, contributing 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the Jimmy Fund. The PMC is the largest single contributor to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The PMC was started in 1980 when Starr and 35 of his friends rode across Massachusetts and raised $10,200 for cancer research. It is recognized as the pioneering event that connected athleticism to charitable fundraising. Today, athletic fundraising events annually raise more than $2 billion, funding crucial programs at health and human service organizations nationwide.

The PMC is presented by the Red Sox Foundation and the New Balance Foundation. Another 200 companies support the event by providing more than $4 million in goods and services each year. During PMC weekend and throughout the year, more than 3,000 volunteers donate their time to support the organization.

About the Pan-Mass Challenge

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) is an annual bike-a-thon that today raised more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the world. The PMC was founded in 1980 by Billy Starr, who remains the event's executive director, an annual cyclist, and a fundraiser. The PMC has since raised $455 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 50 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, log onto www.pmc.org

About Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is world renowned for its leadership in adult and pediatric cancer treatment and research. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it is one of the largest recipients among independent hospitals of NCI and National Institutes of Health grant funding. For more information, go to www.dana-farber.org.

Logo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141107/157424LOGO

SOURCE Pan-Mass Challenge