Westmont Man To Ride For Cancer Research

Kevin Nowak, of Westmont, will be among 65 riders from New Jersey who will cycle up to 192 miles in the Pan-Mass Challenge on Aug. 4 and 5, challenge organizers announced. Riders will look to top last year’s record-breaking gift and raising $52 million for critical cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

During PMC weekend, over 6,300 cyclists from 43 states and 10 countries will gather in Massachusetts to participate in the PMC. Riders include everyone from seasoned triathletes to weekend warriors and range in age from 13 to 85. Many ride to honor a family member or friend lost to, or being treated for cancer, and over 900 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or current patients themselves, and considered Living Proof of the PMC mission.

There will be 12 different courses available for all levels offering varying degrees of mileage and difficulty. The courses pass through 46 towns across the Commonwealth, with starting lines in Sturbridge, Wellesley and Bourne. Cyclists are required to raise between $600 and $8,000, depending on the chosen route.

The average cyclist raises more than $7,000, which exemplifies the spirit of the PMC and its riders. Volunteers, spectators, donors and sponsors are also part of the camaraderie on ride weekend, all working together in hopes of one day eradicating cancer.

“After surpassing our goal and raising $51 million for Dana-Farber last year, we are excited to keep the momentum going as we approach our 39th PMC ride weekend,” PMC founder and executive director Billy Starr said. “We are continuously humbled by the dedication and generosity of our riders, volunteers, donors, sponsors and community members — it’s thanks to them that the PMC is able to make such an immense impact on the fight against cancer. We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable ride weekend and can’t wait to see you all out on the road.”

The PMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to Dana-Farber through its fundraising arm, the Jimmy Fund, and is the institute’s largest single contributor, raising more than 53 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. In 2017, the PMC gave a record gift of $51 million to Dana-Farber, bringing its 38-year contribution to a total of more than $598 million since its inception in 1980.

The PMC is presented by the Red Sox Foundation and New Balance. To make a financial contribution to Nowak or to become a virtual rider, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Connect with #PanMass2018 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Below is the complete list of riders from New Jersey:

• Allendale: Cheryl Rubin
• Asbury: Todd Hengerer
• Avalon: Walter Locke
• Basking Ridge: Jim Morris
• Bridgewater: Jeffrey Knouse
• Cedar Knolls: Steven Rapp, Carl Symecko
• Cranford: Jeff Gold
• Demarest: Robert Altman
• Edison: Richard Hoffman
• Glen Ridge: Eric Hurrie, Kristen Sigler
• Glen Rock: Thomas Ayers, Frank Gaul
• Hillsborough: Michael Hughes
• Hoboken: Grace Conrad, Debbie Jacobus
• Howell: Jonathan Winder
• Jersey City: Kyle Lampart, Caroline Petner
• Lawrenceville: Scott Rizza
• Lebanon: Milan Thakker
• Madison: Bill Johnson
• Mahwah: Kenneth Hollins
• Manasquan: Nicholas Papa
• Mendham: Thomas Fuller
• Montclair: Prashant Bhatia, Ben Cope, Jason DeSalvo, Jennifer Hanawald, Andrew Hart, Ryan Hill, Jason Levine, Manika Sood, Linda Sterling
• Morris Plains: Bruce Levy
• Morristown: Brian Cove, Gregory Sauter
• Mountain Lakes: Chris Proudlove
• New Providence: Carl Bagish
• North Bergen: Mario Pavon
• Oak Ridge: Melissa Kevlahan
• Oradell: RJ Valera
• Park Ridge: Kathy McCullough-Widmer
• Ridgewood: Bill Goodson
• Rumson: Michael Swell
• Scotch Plains: James Chitty, Joseph Hesson
• Short Hills: Mark Blumkin, Ben Campbell, Brett Cohen, Jason Singer
• Somerset: Jacob Setera
• Springfield: Scott Kessel
• Summit: Michael Cornell, Patrick McCullough
• Tenafly: Michael Obrien
• Vernon: Thomas Ryan
• Verona: Rich Watts
• Waldwick: Nicole Aubuchon
• West Milford: Timothy Kopko
• West Orange: Amy Hall
• Westfield: Jonathan Gellman, Reid Prichett
• Westmont: Kevin Nowak

The attached image was provided