NEWBURYPORT — For the ninth consecutive year, Institution for Savings President/CEO Michael Jones and Executive Vice President/COO Kimberly Rock will be riding 160 miles from Wellesley to Provincetown in the Pan-Mass Challenge Ride, this year set for Aug. 3 and 4. The cycling duo raised more than $320,000 in their first eight years and have set their fundraising goal at $65,000 for 2024.
The PMC, in its 44th year, is an annual event that has raised more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. One hundred percent of rider funds raised go to cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston and the challenge runs through 46 towns across Massachusetts. The 2023 PMC raised $67.2 million to support DFCI, bringing PMC’s total raised since 1980 to more than $972 million in support of lifesaving cancer research and patient care.
Both avid cyclists, Jones and Rock say this ride is personal to them as they have watched too many friends and colleagues affected by cancer and other debilitating diseases in recent years.
“The Pan-Mass Challenge is an inspiring event and one that Kim and I are committed to do together,” said Jones. “The first time we did it in 2016, we were blown away by the cyclists who ride: all levels of experience but everyone riding for those they loved. It is awe-inspiring every year. Sometimes there isn’t much we can do other than to support those we love going through cancer, but we can do this. And hopefully, over time we will get closer by the mile to a world without cancer.”
Jones and Rock have received several local sponsorships for their ride that include Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Groom Construction, Wolf & Company, Scalora Consulting Group, Sullivan Insurance, Brake & Clutch, and Healy & Healy.
In addition, each year Jones and Rock have included embroidered initials on their shirts of those in their immediate and extended bank family affected by cancer.
“An important part of our journey is to remember and honor those in our IFS family who are fighting or have lost the fight with this disease,” said Rock. “We truly ride for them.”
To support Jones and Rock’s ride, visit their fundraising page at http://profile.pmc.org/ti0024 or send a check made payable to Pan-Mass Challenge with ID#TI0024 in the subject line to: Stephanie Manuel, Institution for Savings, PO Box 510, Newburyport, MA 01950.