Pan Mass Challenge Wilmington-Andover Kids Bike Ride 2013

The 8th annual Pan Mass Challenge Kids Bike Ride in Wilmington on Sunday, May 19th, has a new name.  This year’s ride is now officially called the PMC Wilmington-Andover Kids Ride, but don’t be fooled by the name.  While Wilmington has partnered with the town of Andover, kids in preschool through grade 6 from ANY surrounding town are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Kids from Tewksbury have special reason to ride in the event which raises money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Jimmy Fund.  That reason is Tewksbury resident Lyndsey Pettengill.  Lyndsey is the official “Pedal Partner” for the event.  Pedal Partners are pediatric oncology patients of the Jimmy Fund Clinic, who are matched up with PMC Kids Rides throughout the region.  Pedal Partners are the very children who receive more advanced treatments and state-of-the-art care as a result of the funds raised by the PMC.  Lyndsey and her family have participated in the event in Wilmington for the past four years, and have provided riders and spectators with a special motivation to participate and raise money for this worthy cause.  Lyndsey, who was treated at the Jimmy Fund Clinic for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2008, is now 3 years out of treatment and a 3rd grader at the Trahan School in Tewksbury.

The PMC Wilmington-Andover Kids Ride has raised over $100,000 for the Pan Mass Challenge organization, and donates 100% of the proceeds.  This year, the ride hopes to raise another $18,000 to help fight cancer.  The event takes place on Carter Lane in Wilmington on the grounds of the Boutwell Elementary, West Elementary and Wilmington Middle schools.  For more information on the ride,  how to register, or to donate, please go to: www.kids.pmc.org and click on the Wilmington-Andover Ride.  There is a $10 registration fee and $25 minimum fundraising for all participants.  All registered participants receive an event t-shirt, water bottle and goodie bag, and can also enjoy free music from our DJ, face painting, raffles, hot dogs and other snacks.  Please register online prior to the event.