The mission of the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is to raise money for life-saving cancer research.

EAST PROVIDENCE - An East Providence resident lent a hand at the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge that took place on Aug. 6 and 7, the nation's original bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research and treatment.

The ride, which has been going on since 1980, has seen a total of 38,000 riders and 23,000 volunteers over the years work together to raise money to fight cancer. Bikers can choose between six routes of varying mileage. Two-day rides included the original 192-mile Sturbridge to Provincetown route and the 186-mile Sturbridge-Bourne-Wellesley route. One-day riders had a choice between the 108-mile Sturbridge-Bourne route and the 89-mile Wellesley-Bourne route. Volunteers helped set up for the ride, register riders, transport luggage, provide medical support, work on bike repairs, and worked in security, food, clean-up and office support areas.

Alda Medeiros, a massage therapy student from East Providence, volunteered for the event for hours toward her externship credit. Her teacher, Regina Cobb, has worked at the event for seven years and offered the opportunity to her students. Ms. Medeiros initially went for the credit but said the event made her day.

"It was a really good experience," she said.

She was one of more than 100 massage therapy volunteers who operated under a huge tent after the first day's ride was completed in Bourne, Mass., near the water. Bikers could sign up for a 15-minute massage and, according to Ms. Medeiros, seemed grateful for a change to relieve some of the aches that can only come from biking many miles.

"The tent was huge," she recalled, adding that there were 10 massage tables in a row and approximately 12 rows.

"All you see is tables."

While on the tables, many bikers explained their reasons for biking. Some of them were cancer survivors themselves, others biked to support or in memory of family and friends with cancer.

"The stories were so different and yet they were all the same," Ms. Medeiros said.

She vividly remembered a person who wrote the names of everyone she was riding for, and the date they passed away, on her calf, a constant reminder of her reasons for riding.

Ms. Medeiros and her colleagues worked until the last rider was massaged. She estimated that in the hours she worked, 1 to 9 p.m., she massaged approximately 30 people.

"You were making that person feel good ... We're all in this together. What's 10 more minutes?"

The day was also a good opportunity for her to meet others in her field.

"I've never seen so many volunteers together."

Ms. Medeiros was one of 18 volunteers from Rhode Island to step up to the challenge.

"It just felt so good to be a part of it," she added.

Ms. Medeiros' father is a cancer survivor, and she said that the team spirit between the riders and volunteers made her feel great to be a part of the event. She plans to return next year to lend a hand again.

"It was a very rewarding, fulfilling experience."

According to representative from the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, riders have until October 17 to raise money. The total amount raised will not be announced until the November check presentation, but this year's goal was $21 million.

The route

Sturbridge to Provincetown

Mileage day 1: 110 miles

Mileage day 2: 79 miles

Total ascent: 2,500 ft

Degree of difficulty: most difficult

Starting location: Sturbridge

End location: Bourne

Fundraising minimum: $3,000

The original first day route, Sturbridge to Bourne is the longest and most difficult leg of the event. The first 50 miles are quite hilly; riders face long grueling climbs as well as very fast descents. The last 60 miles are a combination of rolling hills and flats that if not for the first 50 miles, could be considered fairly easy. This ride begins at 6 a.m. and, depending on pace and rest times, can last from four hours to 14 hours.

The PMC mission

The mission of the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is to raise money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. The catalyst for the fundraising effort is a bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors, and individual financial contributors are essential to the PMC achieving this goal.

Since it's founding in 1980, the PMC has been increasingly successful in mobilizing the support of all these constituencies. They strive to inspire even more proponents of their cause and intend the money raised to afford Dana-Farber's doctors and researchers the resources necessary to discover cures for all cancers.

The PMC is able to give 97 percent of funds raised directly to the Jimmy Fund because the event is run almost entirely by volunteers. The "give the riders whatever they need" spirit, which is so much a part of the PMC, is fueled by the 2,000 volunteers who make the event happen each year. The PMC spirit is a special bond that exists between the PMC volunteers and riders.

by kimberly harper

kharper@eastbaynewspapers.com