Why does Andy Ride?

To date, I have raised over $300,000 for research and treatment at DFCI. I will continue to ride and/or participate in this event until cancer is gone, and the ride is no longer necessary.
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PMC Fact Sheet

More about the PMC and the Jimmy Fund

The Jimmy Fund

The PMC

Each PMC rider must raise a minimum amount. PMC riders do not receive any "prizes" for finishing first or raising more money. Each rider receives a shirt or cycling jersey, and a water bottle, which are arranged for through corporate donations. Further, "heavy hitters" (those who raise more than twice the minimum) receive a second commemorative item.

About the Ride (quick summary)

There is no organized start on Sunday. The ride up to Provincetown crosses the Bourne bridge to Cape Cod, then parallels the Cape Cod Canal, winding its way up the cape, arriving in Provincetown. The National Guard usually sets up shower tents at the Provincetown Inn.

Two days, 192 miles.

Since 2005 I've done remote rides in California, mostly in the bay area, once across Yosemite national park, a bonus ride across Death Valley National Park and one bonus ride up Mont Ventoux in Bedoin, France.
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About the Dana Farber Cancer institute

Thousands of individuals from all across the US and the world are treated at DFCI each year. In 1994, 9400 patients were treated, 14% of whom were children.

The impact of an individual/corporate contributor may be best shown through the impact of the PMC on cancer research through the PMC years:

• In 1980, the internationally recognized Breast Evaluation center, a model for breast centers nationwide, opened to advance breast cancer detection and treatment.
• In 1982, the Solid Tumor Autologous Marrow Program (STAMP) was inaugurated to provide high-does checmotherapy to patients with relapsed melanoma and breast, lung, and other solid-tumor cancer that no longer responded to conventional chemotherapy. The patient's healthy marrow is removed and preserved. After high-dose chemotherapy,, the preserved marrow is returned to the patient, having been spared the toxic effects of chemotherapy, re-establishing the patiet's immune system.
• In 1983, institute scientists identified T-Cell receptors. Learning how T-cells recognize foreign invadors has helped researchers understand how defects in the immune system cause severe illness.
• In 1985, a study by a Dana-Farber physician, in conjunction with the University of Colorado Medical Center, developed a new method for treating advanced prostate cancer.
• In 1987, Dana Farber researchers alont with scientists at MIT pinpointed a gene that prevents formation of a human eye cancer called retinoblastoma.
• By 1988, two out of three children who enter the Jimmy Fund clinic are cured.
• In 1989, the Brain Tumor Clinic is established to accelerate progress against brain tumors in children and adults.
• Also in 1989, DFCI established the nation's first Division of Human Retrovirology in response to the Aids epidemic. This made DFCI the only comprehensive cancer center to also be designated a center for AIDS research by the National Institute of Allery and Infectious Diseases.
• In 1991, DFCI formed alliances with the University of Padua, Italy, and the University of Montreal, Canada, to collaborate on research on the AIDS virus.
• In 1992, DFCI researches combined new and existing technology to detect and eliminate tumor cells in the bone marrow during bone marrow transplantation for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This new technique, which can detect 1 cancer cell per million normal cells, may dramatically reduce the incidence of relapse after tranplantation.
• In 1993, scientists discovered a group of genes related to a common inherited form of colon cancer. The finding raises hopes for saving thousands of lives by early screening of high-risk individuals.
• Also in 1993, Dana Farber researchers found a molecule (cyclin E) that occurs naturally in the body may be involved in the development of breast cancer, and may be used as a diagnostic marker for the disease in its early stages.

How to Sponsor Andy

Sponsor Andy RIGHT NOW with eGifts!

Or, you can sponsor me the tradional way - by sending me email (see the main page).

The PMC is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your donation is tax deductible! You can:

• send me a check, made payable to PMC/Jimmy Fund, or
• use your credit card online, as shown above, or
• give me cash in person (I'd rather you didn't, but if you do, I'll write a check to the PMC for that amount.)
  Please don't send cash through the mail!

Should you pledge per-mile or a flat sum?

What is Team Millenium, and why were you on it?

In contrast, in 2021, I raised just under $23,000
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Can I ride in the PMC?

Can I volunteer for the PMC?

What do you do for training (in a typical year)?

My basic plan is to start out slow and build a base through January and into February and March. By March, there are regular long rides which include a single ridge climb of 3 - 7 miles of consistent 5% - 7% grade. In April, rides with multiple ridge climbs are introduced, and the century season starts. My "home turf" loop is 45 miles and 4200', and goes through Big Basin State Park. Other rides to the pacific coast, then climbing back, are at least 65 miles and 5500'. May and June ideally bring more centuries, more weekly miles, and increased pace. A favorite century is the Grizzly Peak Century in the Berkeley hills (107 miles, 8800'). Then, there's the occasional killer climb, like Redwood Gulch. Though lately that's been replaced with steeper-still Hicks Road near Los Gatos. By the time mid-July comes around, I start to phase out the monster climbs and concentrate on rolling hills and speed.

In the fall, I usually ride sporadically, do some moutain biking and hiking, and play some golf. Sometimes I do a bonus ride for the PMC.
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