BOSTON, Mass. — The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), the world’s most successful athletic fundraising event, has announced a record-breaking $78 million donation to support cancer research, treatment, and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Since its founding in 1980, the PMC has raised a total of $1.125 billion to advance Dana-Farber’s mission to fight cancer. The announcement was made during a celebratory brunch at Rochambeau in Boston on Sunday morning.
“This year’s fundraising total is a testament to the power of community and the heart of every rider, volunteer, and donor who makes the PMC what it is,” said Billy Starr, PMC founder and chairman. “Each year, we ride not only to raise funds, but to raise hope. In doing so, we continue to touch lives and redefine what’s possible. Our collective drive keeps us moving forward, Closer By the Mile, toward a future without cancer.”
For the 19th consecutive year, 100 percent of rider-raised funds have gone directly to Dana-Farber to support lifesaving research, treatment, and care. The PMC remains Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor, accounting for 67 percent of The Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. The organization’s funding continues to underpin Dana-Farber’s groundbreaking work, including its role in developing more than half of all cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the past five years. Dana-Farber currently leads more than 1,200 active clinical trials nationwide.
The PMC’s impact comes at a critical time, as cancer rates continue to rise. In Massachusetts, new cancer cases increased by 27 percent between 2020 and 2024, with 455 new cases per 10,000 residents annually — a rate higher than the national average, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I am deeply grateful to the Pan-Mass Challenge for its unwavering partnership and transformational impact on cancer research and care,” said Benjamin L. Ebert, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “As a seven-time PMC and first-time PMC Unpaved rider, I am tremendously inspired by the dedication of this incredible community and their support for scientific discovery and patient care.”
During the annual PMC Weekend in August, more than 6,500 riders and 3,500 volunteers from around the world cycled up to 186 miles across Massachusetts to raise funds for the cause. Additional donations came through other events, including the PMC Winter Cycle at Fenway Park, PMC Unpaved—the nation’s leading gravel cycling fundraiser—and the PMC Kids Rides, which allow children to participate in the fight against cancer.
