Lexington residents to participate in annual Pan-Mass Challenge, raising funds for cancer research

During the weekend of August 2–3, 73 riders from Lexington will join more than 6,800 cyclists in the 46th annual Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), a two-day bike-a-thon across Massachusetts. This year’s goal: raising $76 million for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Among this year’s participants is Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy, who has participated in the PMC for nearly 20 years.

“My wife Trisha started riding the PMC in 2006 in honor of a friend of our then 5-year-old daughter, who thankfully survived pediatric cancer,” Kennealy said.

Another Lexington rider, Joe Petner, rides for Team POW (Petner Ortiz Watts) and also has a deeply personal connection to the cause.

“I got involved initially back in 1995 when my younger daughter, Caroline, was being treated for a rare blood disease, aplastic anemia,” Petner said.

Petner himself is a survivor of prostate cancer, and his late wife Jody was a breast cancer survivor. His experiences have deepened his connection to the PMC and its mission.

“It is inspiring to know that what you’re doing is going to matter to someone, some family, some child,” Petner told LexObserver.

Kennealy’s commitment to PMC is grounded not only in personal experience, but also in a broader belief in the organization’s success and its mission to improve patients’ lives.

“We ride the PMC because we believe wholeheartedly in its mission and in how effectively they pursue it. The results are real and the impact on cancer research has been tremendous,” Kennealy said.

The event’s impact becomes especially profound when seen through the eyes of a parent. Having lived through the uncertainty of a child’s diagnosis, Petner understands the stakes on an intimate level. 

“The common goal here is to find—someday—a cure for cancer, which is such an insidious disease,” Petner said. “Especially as a parent, to have your child diagnosed with cancer is your worst nightmare.”

The emotional weight is further reinforced throughout the ride itself with signs that line the route.

“When you come to the rest stop, there are posters of children at the entrance, and to me, I always say that this is why we ride,” Petner said.

Over time, involvement in the PMC has become a tradition for some participants. Both teams that Petner and Kennealy ride for have grown to include more friends and family members.

“Our oldest two kids joined the adult ride in 2017, and our youngest joined in 2019,” Kennealy told LexObserver.

Since its founding in 1980 by Billy Starr, PMC has raised over $1 billion for Dana-Farber, marking a major milestone last year. Petner credits much of that success to Starr’s vision and leadership.

“Starr is one of my heroes because of his genius in terms of just doing something on this scale. He has grown the event and given people more opportunities to participate,” Petner told LexObserver.

While its financial impact is significant, the PMC also stands out for the values it embodies.

“The PMC encompasses some of the most vital things in life: athletics, volunteerism, innovation, compassion, and resolve,” Kennealy said.

For Petner, the beauty of the event lies not only in its mission, but also in its opportunity for people from all walks of life to contribute to advancements in cancer research and improve the lives of those with cancer.

“It’s an extraordinary event that ordinary people can participate in,” Petner said. “You do not have to be a professional athlete to make a difference, you just have to show up and ride.”

Donations can be made at: https://www.pmc.org.