Oakton Resident Bikes To Find Cure For Cancer

An Oakton resident is participating in the Pan-Mass Challenge, a bicycle race to raise money for pediatric and adult cancer research and care.

On Aug. 4 and 5, bicyclists will ride up to 192 miles around Massachusetts on 12 different routes. Riders range from trained triathletes to weekend warriors and are ages 13 to 85. Many ride to honor a family member or friend lost to or battling cancer. More than 850 riders and volunteers are cancer survivors or being treated themselves.

Among the participants is Jim Dufort of Oakton. He is among 35 riders from Virginia and 6,300 from more than 40 states and 10 countries. Over 4,000 volunteers will assist with the race.

Each rider aims to raise $600 to $8,000 for a grand total of $52 million for cancer research and care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Anyone can make a donation for a specific cyclist on the race's website.

Since the Pan-Mass Challenge began in 1980, it has raised over $598 million. All funds go directly to the institute for cancer research and care. The race's leadership strives to keep the race going until doctors can find cures for all types of 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," said Billy Starr, founder and executive director of the Pan-Mass Challenge in a statement. "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."

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The 12 race routes vary in length and difficulty, passing through 46 towns across Massachusetts and starting in three towns.

To find more information about the Pan-Mass Challenge and donate in support of a rider, visit www.pmc.org.

Below are all of the cyclists representing Virginia. Good luck to them all!

• Michael Donilon, Alexandria
• Andrew Carpenter, Arlington
• Andrew Evans, Arlington
• Ryan Gillis, Arlington
• Robyn Norrbom, Arlington
• Chris Smith, Arlington
• Frank Partsch, Blacksburg
• Nathaniel Heller, Brambleton
• Paul Meng, Chantilly
• Chip Grossman, Charlottesville
• Earl Grossman, Charlottesville
• William Grossman, Charlottesville
• Kevin O’Shea, Charlottesville
• Ben Steinberg, Fairfax
• John Marshall, Falls Church
• Andrew Rotherham, Falls Church
• Carol Sly, Falls Church
• Richard Tangard, Henrico
• Christopher Kearns, Herndon
• Caroline Cubbage, Leesburg
• Gary Cubbage, Leesburg
• David Geanacopoulos, McLean
• Erin Reynolds, Midlothian
• Jim Dufort, Oakton
• Erica Staaterman, Reston
• Charles Frydenborg, Richmond
• Corell Moore, Richmond
• Cheryl Redmond, Richmond
• Kevin Pomfret, Tysons
• Emily Doherty, Vienna
• Mark Enstrom, Vienna
• Allison Molongoski, Virginia Beach
• Jay Jason, Williamsburg
• Sean Lounsbery, Williamsburg
• Stuart Morris-Hipkins, Williamsburg

Image courtesy Pan-Mass Challenge