Chris Arnold marks a milestone this year as he participates in his 15th Pan-Mass Challenge.
Held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 4 and 5, the Pan-Mass Challenge is the nation’s pioneer charity bike-a-thon that raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country.
“Last year’s ride alone generated a gift of $35,000,000 to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston,” Arnold said.
The cause hits home for Arnold, who organizes Paige’s Butterfly Run held in memory of his daughter, Paige Yeomans Arnold, an 8-year-old student who attended Palmer Elementary School before succumbing to cancer in 1994.
“Since 1980, the PMC has given DFCI $338M to fund research and patient programs there. My daughter Paige was a patient at DFCI and Boston Children’s Hospital, which is why I decided to get involved for the first time in 1998,” he said.
Arnold must raise a minimum of $4,300 for the two-day, 190-mile ride. However, his goal is to raise $12,000. While the ride is in less than two weeks, Arnold is allowed to accept donations through Oct. 1.
“There have certainly been advances in cancer treatment over the last 15 years, but we still have a long, long way to go in terms of cures for cancer,” Arnold said. “Just as we do with Paige’s Butterfly Run, I’m trying to support today’s patients with programs and tomorrow’s patients with research funding. And just as with Paige’s Butterfly Run, 100 percent of every dollar that an individual provides as a donation or sponsorship goes to the cause.”
There are 11 routes to choose from in the Pan-Mass Challenge ranging from 25 to 190 miles in length. Arnold rides the two-day classic route from Sturbridge to Provincetown. To support Arnold’s ride and learn more about why he participates, visit pmc.org/profile/CA0022. For more information about the event, visit pmc.org.
