Newburyport Today is pleased to be able to bring our reader’s the comments and observations of Newburyport Pedicab driver Paul Kelly. This is Paul’s 3rd season pedaling, and he has been kind enough to agree to share his experiences with us.
“How many first time riders do we have?” Beth Shelburne, NECN co-anchor, asks. Many hands go up, including a new acquaintance, Mike. A Firefighter/EMT from Osterville, MA, Mike has wanted to do this for some time. A round of applause comes, acceptance by the veteran riders – some who have been here for thirty years, acknowledgment by the new riders of induction into this elite group. Beth continues, “How many first time riders have three Super Bowl rings?” Absolute silence, and puzzlement – what an odd question. Then one man steps forth, Joe Andruzzi, holder of three Super Bowl rings from his career with the New England Patriots. Three championships with the Patriots, followed by several years with the Cleveland Browns – then his own diagnosis with Burkitt’s lymphoma.
It’s Friday evening, July 31, 2009, and I’ve taken a break from pedicabbing to experience the opening ceremony in Sturbridge, Massachusetts of the 30th Annual Pan-Mass Challenge – the charity that Newburyport Pedicab was founded to support. The Pan-Mass Challenge, the grand-daddy of sports philanthropy events. The Challenge has grown from a collegial ride of a few dozen close friends to an annual bike-a-thon of 5000 riders and 3000 volunteers. This year, riders came from 36 states and 10 countries – including Tour de France stage winner Magnus Backstedt, also a cancer survivor. Since the first ride in 1980 which raised $10,200, about 60,000 riders have participated and $240M has been donated to the Jimmy Fund of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, to benefit cancer research and treatment. The Pan-Mass raised $35M in 2008 – the single largest contribution to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – and is on track for similar giving levels in 2009.
What is the Pan-Mass Challenge? On one level, it is a 190 mile charitable bike ride staged by a non-profit organization with a small professional and volunteer staff and board of trustees. The small staff and volunteer commitment make the PMC one of the most efficient fund raising organizations around. Additionally, several philanthropic corporations provide funding so that 100% of every rider-raised dollar can be donated directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Many riders organize into teams to train and fund-raise together: Patriots Platelet Peddlers (Joe Andruzzi), 138 riders; Team Flames (Dr. David Fisher, one of Joe’s physicians), 7 years riding; Team Maureen, a team of family, friends, and coworkers; Matthew’s Ducks from Long Island and Team Brent from Connecticut, both riding for childhood cancer. Matthew is a 4 year old two time survivor; 7 year old Brent, also a survivor, was fighting stage IV neuroblastoma at age 3.
The PMC is also about the volunteers that pitch in. Volunteers everywhere – staffing the registration booth, loading luggage into the moving vans bound for the overnight sleepover in Bourne, handing out water, fruit, chips, and PB&J sandwiches at the many break areas, and directing traffic along the route. One of our pedicab drivers works for Ski Market where four of their employees volunteered to staff the water station at Franklin, MA and provide mechanical support, from flat tire repairs to complete derailleur overhauls. They arrived at the station at 5AM to set up, and worked flat out once riders started arriving. After finishing there, they moved on to the water station at Lakeville, MA and did a repeat performance.
Billy Starr, Pan-Mass founder, shared a quote from Winston Churchill at the opening ceremony: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” The Pan-Mass Challenge’s energy is fueled by altruistic individuals and their personal reasons for giving to life. The countless volunteers giving their time and talents, and the many donors supporting each rider. Mike, the firefighter from Osterville, who this year came on board to ride in memory of his fellow firefighter. Newburyport Pedicab co-founder Kevin Murphy and his sister Laurie ride after losing both parents to cancer. But perhaps one of the most touching stories from this year’s ride is a promise made by Kristin Beauparlant. Kristin, Amesbury resident, Massachusetts General Hospital oncology nurse, and non-biker, rode with the Seacoast Young Team of Portsmouth at the request of her patient, Beth Bennett. Beth asked Kristin to take Beth’s bike and ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge in her memory because, after her cancer diagnosis, she would not be able to ride again. Kristin promised Beth that she would ride; two days later in October 2008, Beth succumbed to cancer.
I have my own quote that I try to live by, from Albert Schweitzer. I used to carry this around on a folded piece of paper in my wallet, until the paper disintegrated. “You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for others – something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.” This spirit was embodied in the catch-phrase I heard everywhere during the Pan-Mass weekend: “Thank You.” Riders thanking the volunteers and each other for making this event happen so successfully and smoothly, spectators and volunteers thanking the riders for stepping up to the physical and mental challenge, everyone thanking the countless financial donors, and most of all, cancer survivors thanking their fellow riders for their compassion and caring. I understand now the “why” behind the success of the Pan-Mass Challenge.
Paul
Paul Kelly spends some of his free time pedaling at Newburyport Pedicab where all profits are donated to the Pan-Mass Challenge. To schedule a ride with Paul, call 978-225-0009.
Editor’s Note: “Did you know that spell check has no suggestions for “neuroblastoma” – I wish I did not know what the word meant or that I did not have to just hit “skip” like that would make it be a word different than the horrible word it is. Paul’s eloquent writing is moving beyond words, which is unusual for a talker like myself… I have spent most of the afternoon in tears, but I am utterly in awe of the riders, families, and Paul himself who took the time to volunteer to chronicle their stories for Newburyport-Today. Newburyport Pedicab’s owner, Blake Harris, writes, “We’re extremely proud of Paul’s coverage of the PMC’s opening ceremony. He definitely captured the powerful feeling of philanthropy shared by everyone at the event. Here’s to hoping it receives all of the recognition it deserves!” Amen. Thank you Paul.
