See Who's Riding From Essex County In 2022 Pan-Mass Challenge

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Five local people are riding in this year's Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for cancer research and patient care, in honor of loved ones and in celebration of being cancer-free.

The bike-a-thon is August 6 and 7 to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Massachusetts, and will include more than 6,000 riders. Routes can be between 25 and 210 miles.

Kristen Sigler of Glen Ridge, Jennifer Hanawald from Montclair, Hans Arnesen from Newark, Stephen Rasch of Short Hills, and Linda Sterling from West Orange are all on the roster.

Here's a bit more about the riders who submitted personal stories.

Kristen Sigler: "I'm riding in memory of my brother, Todd Fertig. He passed away after battling pancreatic cancer for 6 short weeks. I need to do this ride and raise money for cancer research because I don’t want anyone in my life to ever have to hear the words, 'I’m sorry, but there is nothing left for us to do to treat your loved one.'

"Raising at least $5,000 is going to be hard. I can’t do it alone. I need your help. I am biking in honor and in memory of Todd. Tell me who you are supporting, and I will proudly add their name to my bike as I ride."

Jennifer Hanawald: "Doctors appointments, diagnosis, painful choices, physical pain, treatment, families shaken to the core. One moment we are untouched, and the next it consumes us.

"In my first ride in 2018, I was inspired to ride after losing my stepfather Tom Herren and a dear friend, JP. This past year, two remarkable women, my mother-in-law, Helen Rabin, and cousin, Allison Herren, were both taken by cancer, and I'm continuing the journey. It's a small but meaningful step to be part of a solution with amazing people motivated to do the same. (Linda! Kristen! Manika! Prashant! Warren! and a few thousand more :)"

Linda Sterling: "On March 8, my oncologist told me I’m 5 years cancer-free, a huge milestone for anyone surviving cancer. After surgery and 25 rounds of radiation back in 2017, and 5 years on medication (with just 2 more years to go), I’m thrilled to be here!

"This year, I am riding for the first time since my mom passed away from pancreatic cancer. I am dedicating the ride to my mom, as well as my dad, a prostate cancer survivor who sadly passed away a few months ago at the age of 92. My dad was my biggest supporter, and always let me know how proud he was of me! He pushed me to be better in everything I did, whether it was academically, athletically, working to improve our community, and in my own fundraising. He encouraged me to stretch in everything I did!"

Last year, the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) broke a record for fundraising with $66 million raised. In the 42 years of the Challenge, the PMC has raised $831 million for Dana-Farber.

Each dollar a rider raises goes directly to Dana-Farber.

“We’re coming off of a record-breaking fundraising year for Dana-Farber, and we’re thrilled to be ‘back in the saddle’ this summer, bringing our PMC community together for our first traditional PMC weekend since 2019 with our sights set on making an even bigger impact in the fight against cancer,” said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC. “We are so inspired by the dedication of our riders, volunteers, donors, sponsors and community members throughout the last two challenging years and can’t wait to see everyone on the road this August for the 43rd PMC.”