Beyond the Lottery

What would you do with a billion dollars? 

Many people answered that question recently when the Mega Millions lottery payout exceeded the $1 billion mark. Hopeful ticket holders projected that they'd pay off family debts, and fund education, health and housing needs, buy some relatives or friends a car or two, enjoy a vacation, and take or leave their jobs. At the end of interviews we'd often hear that people would reserve some of the money to "do some good." Even after taxes and family, there would be enough money leftover to really do some good. Many say they'd want to cure cancer. 

Yet, few of us will ever win or earn that billion dollars. So how are we to effect some of the bigger changes and solutions our society and world need? One dollar at a time, one volunteer hour at a time, one mile at a time. With 1.4 million charitable organizations in the United States, there is no shortage of identified opportunities. While we can make worthy contributions with solo efforts, it's no secret that working together we can do greater things, faster, farther, more creatively, and often with more fun. That certainly holds true for the Pan Mass Challenge. 

Since 1980 the Pan Mass Challenge (or PMC) has hosted sporting events to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Much has changed through the years; much remains the same. Although a greater variety of events raises money year round, the crown jewel pf the PMC still remains the longest event and route - a 186 mile bike ride from Sturbridge, Massachusetts to the outermost point on Cape Cod. On the first Saturday in August, this two day event ends the day in Bourne, on the edge of the Cape Cod Canal. Riders who choose to complete the second day follow on the Cape that Sunday in what is invariably questionable weather. Mother Nature's temperamental nature leaves participants guessing until the last minute. Downpours? Chills? Hell's Kitchen? This year it was an unhealthy dose of high heat and high humidity which challenged riders, volunteers and cheering supporters. As a sideline spectator, I was grateful for some good variable and strong winds. Not sure how the riders liked them, as they would have been tough headwinds, too. 

While this event raises awareness and funding for the greater good, I also take it personally. A year or two after my husband's successful cancer battle, a friend of ours rode in his honor. That rider is Laura. Laura and her sister, Jess, their mother, Dolly, and their father, Len, have collectively ridden more than 100 times. The family PMC trailblazer, Len, alone has raised more than $750,000. That's more than you'd received after taxes on an average winning Mega Millions payout! After Len's father died of cancer, the Bicknells didn't wait for luck to turn against cancer and towards them. They did something about it. They found a worthy cause and never looked back. They have made a difference.

Obviously, not every rider raises that sum of money. Yet, all of the riders' sums have contributed to the spectacular amount of funds which which collectively have funded many advances in research and treatments. Each dollar raised by each rider - or walker at other times of the year - each dollar is an important contribution to the Pan Mass current total:  $831 million. This year the PMC expects to raise an additional $66 million. That's a lot of lottery tickets. 

So how does the PMC do it?

The Pan Mass Challenge was the first sporting fundraiser which required participants to commit to raising a specific amount of money. This year riders on the Sturbridge to Provincetown route are required to raise $6,000 or more before October 1. It's a good reminder that this is more than a long weekend bike ride. It's a fight against cancer and a fight for time and life itself for many people, young and old. 

Riders like my friend Bobby Kountz train long hours at odd times of the day in order to balance work, family and training time. Many like Bobby, come from other states. Forty two states were represented this year. Even if your dormitory days aren't behind you, you'll pay for your bed at Mass Maritime Academy or a comfier hotel. It's a lot to ask our riders to train, travel, house themselves and then pay full freight for the fundraising minimum - all in the name of fighting cancer for all of us. Bobby's goal this year is to raise more than $10,000. 

Therefore, I'm asking for your help in sharing this message or contributing. I sincerely say: Every $5 helps. Whether you can give, $5, $50, $500 or more please know that your contribution would go toward the PMC's first billion dollars raised in the fight against cancers. No doubt, there will be more needs and causes, yet this one has advanced cancer research already. People like my husband are living proof. The reduction in childhood cancers offers living hope. 

Some photos follow below from my brief, hot, humid visit with Bobby and one of his work colleagues, Mike, from Arizona. Salty dripping sweat stung Bobby's eyes in that time -- all in the name of curing cancer. Bobby and Mike were joined by Lisa, Dara and Andrew. They were all part of Team Eisai - powered by FLO. 

Other photos follow from the Lakeville Water Stop where the Pedal Partners - kids fighting cancer - have their own tent where they support each others' medical journeys and, spectacularly, support the riders from the sidelines. I was pretty choked up to see a couple of these kids offer thanks and encouragement to riders approaching the stop. They and their supportive families truly inspire us all. 

You can donate to the Pan Mass Challenge (and effectively the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) by adding funds to Bobby's campaign here:

https://donate.pmc.org/

Then add Bobby Kountz's name or rider number:  BK0128

It's that simple.

Some of the grateful faces follow below.

Thank you.  

100% of every rider-raised dollar goes to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

This is goodness.

(More of the photos will follow after the Tuesday, August 9, 2022 Seeing Goodness gathering on the Clubhouse app. Join us!)