Worcester Cop and Cancer Survivor Honored at Fenway Pan-Mass Ceremony

WORCESTER, MA—This weekend, cancer survivors across the state will be honored at PMC Day at Fenway Park in a pre-game ceremony before the Red Sox-Mariners game. A group of 40 PMC Living Proof riders, all of whom are cancer survivors, ride their bikes in a special parade around the outfield to reveal this year’s PMC logo on the 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 on June 18, said the announcement.

PMC Day at Fenway Park celebrates the 37th Pan-Mass Challenge and the Red Sox Foundation’s 14th year as the event’s presenting sponsor.

During the pre-game ceremony, which starts at 2 p.m., Billy Starr, PMC founder and executive director, and Thomas Werner, Red Sox Foundation chairman, 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.

As part of the game's ceremonies, Jonathan "JD" Daige, 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. Daige, according to the announcement, 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. 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.

Photo via PMC