PARK RIDGE—On Aug. 7, triplets Kelly McCullough, Karen McCullough-Dell’Aglio and Kathy McCullough-Widmer will be riding their bikes 83 miles in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC).
This will be the 17th year that the sisters will be pedaling with thousands of others in the PMC. They have participated in this ride in memory of their mother, Ellen McCullough, who passed away in 2003 of a rare type of cancer, leiomyosarcoma.
2015 took on even more meaning for the sisters, since Kathy McCullough-Widmer was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. (She told Pascack Press she’s finished her immunotherapy treatments and is still doing well).
In all, 53 New Jersey residents will be among the more than 6,000 riders to take part in the challenge, spanning 211 miles across Massachusetts with the goal of raising $52 million for cancer research and patient care at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
After the 2020 race was canceled over the pandemic, the event blazes back to glory Aug. 7 and 8 with more than 6,000 riders from 47 states and 11 countries, according to the PMC.
The organization donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar to Dana Farber, accounting for 64 % of its Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue, PMC said.
Despite losing out on 2020’s event, the PMC nevertheless said it raised $50 million last year through its summer-long Reimagined campaign, which brought its 41-year contribution to $767 million.
“We couldn’t be more excited to bring our passionate PMC riders, volunteers, donors and sponsors back together in person for PMC Ride Weekend this year,” Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC, said in a statement.
He added, “With fully supported routes and Reimagined options, everyone can customize their PMC experience to join us in the fight against cancer. Cancer doesn’t stop for anything, even a global pandemic, and funding for research, treatment and care is as critical as ever.”
Most participate in honor of a family member or friend fighting cancer and more than 950 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or current patients, PMC said.
Moving forward, McCullough, McCullough-Dell’Aglio, and McCullough-Widmer say they need to raise $4,500 in order to participate in the PMC, and are asking Pascack Press readers for help.
“Any donation you could give would be greatly appreciated to help find a cure for cancer. The PMC donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. Please donate at pmc.org. Click on the donate button and enter Kathy McCullough-Widmer.”
You can also send a check payable to PMC at Kathy McCullough Widmer, 2 Hall Court, Park Ridge NJ 07656.