Local Radio Host Rides For Cancer

For many of participants in  the Pan-Mass Challenge, a stressful process is calling friends up and asking them to donate money for such a noble cause.

Andover resident Gerry Callahan may be the lone exception. He has callers calling him up to pledge money for the August bike race.

Callahan is the host of WEEI’s sports radio talk show “Dennis and Callahan”, along with co-host John Dennis. For the last three years, Callahan has asked listeners to donate and they have responded in droves. All riders are required to raise at least $4,200 which will go towards the Jimmy Fund.

“I have very generous listeners and colleagues,” said Callahan. “I know a lot of people have to work harder at it than I do.”

Thanks to those listeners, Callahan has raised almost $25,000 in the three years he has done the Challenge.

Callahan himself has history with cancer as he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2007.

After doctors found a polyps in his throat, it eventually turned into a tumor and Callahan had to undergo radiation and have multiple surgeries. He missed four months of work while recovering, and after finishing his treatments he embarked on his first Pan-Mass Challenge in 2008.

For Callahan, this has been one of his favorite events to participate in.

“The fact that it is the biggest single athletic fundraiser in the country makes it pretty cool,” said Callahan. “Almost 5,000 people all literally pedaling for the same cause makes it something special.”

This year Callahan will be riding for Avalanna Routh of Merrimack, MA who is a patient with the Jimmy Fund.  Routh, 5 has lived with a brain tumor all of her life and appeared on Callahan’s show as part of the Jimmy Fund Telethon last August.

Seeing all the riders who have been affected or have known someone who has been affected with cancer makes the event really special for Callahan.

“You look all around you and people have pictures of people they’re riding for,” said Callahan. “Whether they’re kids at the Jimmy Fund Clinic or it’s their parents or siblings who are suffering or have died from cancer. People are literally crying as they make their ways up and down the hills. It’s an inspirational way to spend a couple of days in the middle of summer.”

A sports fan at heart, the event also brings back some memories from Callahan’s sports playing days as a youth.

“Crossing the finish line is without a doubt the highlight,” Callahan said. “It’s one of those great thrills you get when you get older and you don’t get to play a lot of sports anymore. It’s a real feeling of accomplishment”

With his busy work schedule, Callahan does find it hard to get a good workout (something he describes as 4-5 hours) on his bike. He does try to go on 40 mile bike rides and has taken spin classes in the past. He rides on a team called Reindeer on a Ride (ROAR). All the money ROAR raises goes to the Christmas party at the Jimmy Fund Christmas Party.

Started in 1980, the Pan-Mass Challenge has raised money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund to benefit cancer research.  There are six routes that bikers can choose, with the longest being 190 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown.