Pan-Mass Challenge rolls out

Early in the morning before the sun was up yesterday, thousands of Pan-Massachusetts Challenge bicyclists were already busy.

They were getting ready to hit the hot Route 20 pavement in Sturbridge and begin their 190-mile, two-day trek to Provincetown, as one of the country’s most successful charity fundraisers in the fight against cancer got under way.

The region’s heat wave — with temperatures in the 90s and the dew point hovering near 70 degrees — was a concern, but not a deterrent.

“It’s 5:35 a.m. and it’s already smoking hot,” said 32-year-old Ted Lundberg of Manhattan, who was preparing to ride his fourth Pan-Mass Challenge.

Sitting astride his bicycle outside the Sturbridge Host Hotel, where many riders spent Friday night, he said, “I think I’m ready; we’ll find out.”

Mr. Lundberg received pledges totaling $5,500 from individuals sponsoring his ride. Charity organizers hope to take in close to $30 million this year. Money from the event goes to the Jimmy Fund, a major donor to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute of Boston. More than 5,000 bikers are taking part in the 28th annual Pan-Mass Challenge, organizers said.

“Please remember to hydrate today,” Pan-Mass Executive Director Billy Starr said through a loudspeaker to riders, shortly before hopping on his own bicycle to participate in an event he created in 1980 that has grown by leaps and bounds.

Mr. Starr is optimistic that proceeds from this year’s ride will bring the 28-year fundraising total to $200 million. About $10,200 was raised during the first bike-a-thon, which attracted 36 riders.

In an interview Friday, Dana-Farber president and chief executive officer Dr. Edward J. Benz said, “One of the wonderful things about the Pan-Mass Challenge is it makes us realize how much people rely on the Dana-Farber,” noting that “many, many of our staff, faculty, employees ride or volunteer; it puts us in touch with thousands of people.”

Dr. Benz spoke about hospital operations, saying, “On any given day we fill about 100 inpatient beds for adult cancer and about 30 for pediatric care. We have about 200,000 patient encounters a year. We run seven days a week (with) outpatient services into the evening.”

Pan-Mass dollars allow Dana-Farber to conduct cutting-edge research “that other mechanisms do not fund — out-of-the-box, novel ideas that government grants often do not fund,” Dr. Benz said. “If you want to do research outside the box, you need these flexible funds.”

Jim Sullivan, 50, of Westboro said he is riding his ninth consecutive Pan-Mass Challenge, with a group of six close friends who have received pledges totaling $25,000.

Like many of the riders who approach the annual ride with reverence, Mr. Sullivan said the weather was not cause for trepidation.

“Rain or shine, we will take whatever the Lord gives us,” Mr. Sullivan said.

Frank Sposito, 61, of Huntington (Long Island), N.Y., is “coach” of Matthew’s Ducks. Mr. Sposito said the 11 riders are pedaling for 2-year-old Matthew Bova, a New York boy with liver cancer. Among Matthew’s Ducks is Charles Bongiorno, from Rome, participating in his second Pan-Mass Challenge. Mr. Sposito said the group expects to raise $52,000 this year.

For more information on the annual charity event, go to www.pmc.org.