Health & Fitness

Springfield Local Will Ride To Help Cure Cancer

Scott Kessel will ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge​​ ​on Aug. 4 and 5 to help raise money for critical cancer research and patient care.

SPRINGFIELD, NJ — A Springfield resident will cycle up to 192 miles to help find a cure for cancer.

Scott Kessel will participate in the Pan-Mass Challenge on Aug. 4 and 5 to help raise money for critical cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

During that weekend, more than 6,300 cyclists from 43 states and 10 countries will gather in Massachusetts to participate in the PMC. Each cyclist raises an average of more than $7,000.

Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“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," said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the PMC.

The PMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to Dana-Farber through the 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 it’s 38-year contribution to a total of more than $598 million since its inception in 1980.

Find out what's happening in Springfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

To make a financial contribution to a rider from your town or become a virtual rider, visit www.pmc.org, or call (800) WE-CYCLE. Connect with #PanMass2018 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

(Image via Pan-Mass Challenge)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Springfield