Going the Distance to Find a Cure

Over the past two decades, Bud Dodge has logged thousands of miles on his bicycle, many of them focused on training for the annual Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC).

As far as he traveled on two wheels, however, Dodge may be even more prolific as a fundraiser.

This year, Dodge will ride his 20th PMC. Since his first ride, he's raised well over $170,000, often exceeding his fundraising goal, which this year stands at $12,000. Because the PMC itself - including logistics for the impressive two-day event - is underwritten by sponsors, 100 percent of the money raised goes to support research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

"People are incredibly generous and people in Holliston have always been amazing in supporting me," said Dodge, who began biking after wear-and-tear made running and playing soccer difficult.

He was further inspired to ride his first PMC after family members waged their own battles with cancer.

"It's gotten to the point where if I'm a little late with my fundraising letter, I'll start to hear from people or they'll stop me on the street and ask if I'm riding this year."

Dodge is one of who will saddle up in this year's PMC. Not all will ride the full distance, from Sturbridge to Provincetown, but all have set ambitious fundraising goals for themselves. Overall, the PMC has raised over $303 million for cancer treatment and research in the past 32 years.

Fellow Holliston rider Donald Fried-Tanzer will take part in his second PMC. A longtime bicyclist who pedals to work at EMC in Hopkinton when the weather permits, Fried-Tanzer stands out because he rides a recumbent bike.

Fried-Tanzer first rode in the PMC after a hospital stay in 2009 during which he pledged support to another rider.

“When I got out, he remembered and said, ‘It’s time for you to ride,’’ he recalled.

Fried-Tanzer is himself a patient at Dana Farber. Though he is not battling cancer, the hospital is one of just four in the country that has the specialists he needs to treat the recurring tumors in his small intestine.

He will ride from Wellesley to Provincetown, squeezing in the PMC between a recent surgery - which he had earlier than planned so he could be ready to ride - and chemotherapy treatments which will start later this month.

Dodge has seen the PMC grow to a field of 5,000 riders and into a logistical ballet that gets all riders fed, housed and cared for along the route.

"They have it down to a science," he said. "There are 2,500 volunteers and they make sure all we have to worry about is the riding."

Fried-Tanzer has been impressed by the support, both financial and moral, that nearly everyone has shown him since he first started riding.

"What amazes me is the people along the route," said Fried-Tanzer. "On the second day when you get up at 5 a.m. and start riding again, there's people there. Not as many as later in the day,  but they are there, thanking you and cheering you on and it's a great feeling. It's an incredible experience.”

Other Holliston riders registered for this year's PMC are: Darryl Abbey, Christine Baker, David Boyles, , Paul Gillespie, Catherine Hulme-Fruedenerger, Jeff Lockwood, Kevin O'Connell, Diane Runstadler, Karl Schlotterback, Bill Snapper, Donald Spongberg and Kevin Wehmhoefer.