Pan-Mass Challenge Cancer Survivors to Ride in Parade at Fenway Park

From Cone Communications:

PMC Day at Fenway Park, Saturday, June 18

WHAT: PMC Day at Fenway Park will celebrate the 37th Pan-Mass Challenge and the Red Sox Foundation’s 14th year as the event’s presenting sponsor. A group of 40 Living Proof® riders, all of whom are cancer survivors, will ride their bikes in a special parade around the outfield to reveal this year’s PMC logo on the famed Green Monster. PMC Pedal Partners, pediatric cancer patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who receive state-of-the-art care as a result of the funds raised by the PMC, will act as bat boys and girls and serve as the official Play Ball Kid to kick-off the game.

During the pre-game ceremony, Billy Starr, PMC founder and executive director, and Thomas Werner, Red Sox Foundation chairman, will celebrate the contributions of both organizations in the fight to cure cancer with a duel check ceremony featuring their donations since the Red Sox became a PMC presenting sponsor in 2003.

On Aug. 6 and 7, more than 6,500 cyclists will ride up to 192 miles in the PMC with the goal of raising $46 million for Dana-Farber. The PMC has raised a half-billion dollars for adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber since 1980.

WHO: National Anthem Singers: Reilly (18), Alden (16), and Piper Harring (13) will harmonize the National Anthem. The Harring family has been involved with the PMC and PMC Kids Rides since 2004. Reilly and Alden rode in the 2015 PMC with their father and their mother, Heidi Harring, a PMC Living Proof rider. This August, Alden will ride alongside her parents, while Reilly and Piper will volunteer in Bourne during ride weekend.

First Pitch: Al Cote of Stowe, Mass. is an original PMC rider. After cycling in the first ride in 1980, Al has been involved with the PMC every year since. He will celebrate the 37th PMC and his lifelong commitment to helping in the fight against cancer by throwing the inaugural first pitch. 

Play Ball Kid: Carter Mock (8) of Amherst, N.H. will serve as the Play Ball Kid on Saturday. Carter was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2015, and underwent surgery to remove his leg in December. Carter was fitted with his first prosthetic this spring and is already hitting the road on his bicycle. Carter has teamed up with PMC Team Jack as their Pedal Partner, where he’s grown especially close to PMC rider Jack Manning, a cancer survivor who underwent the same treatment and surgery as Carter. 

Hats Off to Heroes: Jonathan “JD” Daige of Worcester, Mass., a two-time Iraq veteran and Worcester Police Officer, will be honored during the game’s Hats Off to Heroes celebration for his military service. JD was diagnosed with testicular cancer four years ago. He then underwent five surgeries and four rounds of radiation and chemotherapy to battle tumors in his chest and brain, as well as the removal of sections of his left and right lungs. In August of 2014, JD received a clean bill of health and returned to work. This August, JD will ride his 2nd PMC alongside his doctor, sergeant and fellow Worcester Police Officers.

WHEN: Saturday, June 18

2:05 p.m. Jon Hancock PMC Pedal Partner reception

3:00 p.m. Pre-game ceremonies begin: PMC Living Proof Riders Survivor Parade, National Anthem, first pitch

4:05 p.m. Red Sox v. Mariners

WHERE: Fenway Park