How PMC Money is Used

How does Dana-Farber Cancer Institute use the funds that you donate to the PMC? Incredibly effectively, that's how. Dana-Farber is at the leading edge of developing new cancer treatments and providing personalized cancer care. Dana-Farber can do what it does due in part to your PMC donations.

There are several reasons why this is the case. First, 100 percent of your PMC donation goes directly to the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber's fundraising arm. Not one penny of your donation goes to Clif Bars or bike mechanics or post-ride beer - all of the costs of the ride are underwritten by corporate sponsors. Second, the PMC generates half of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue (last year the PMC raised $35 million). Without the PMC, Dana-Farber's life-saving work grinds to a crawl. Finally, the PMC generates unrestricted funds for Dana-Farber to spend wherever it finds the greatest need. Many of its other funding sources (like foundation and government grants) come with strings attached. And while stringy money is great, it has its limitations.

Dana-Farber recently released a three page statement describing exactly how the PMC is making a difference in cancer research and care. Below is an excerpt that hits the point home.

Unrestricted PMC gifts:

• Are the life-blood of the Institute. They provide critical, flexible funding to be used when and where the need is greatest.

• Enable Institute leaders to fund promising new research opportunities. 

Early-stage research is not eligible for government funding, yet many of the discoveries that lead to significant breakthroughs begin as promising theories.

• Advance our signature, total patient care philosophy by enhancing the programs and initiatives that serve the spiritual, emotional, and psychosocial needs of our patients and their families throughout the cancer journey.

• Support the core infrastructure and technologies that foster the exchange of ideas and information across the Institute.

• Allow us to attract, develop, and retain the brightest minds who will lead the next generation of cancer care and research.

• Help cover insurance reimbursement gaps so that expert patient-centered care is delivered without compromise.

• Bolster under-funded services including social work, community outreach and education, and cancer prevention and screening.

• Fund the expansion and renovation of much-needed clinical and research spaces.

So, why give to the PMC? Because, in doing so, you are SAVING LIVES. Yes, YOU.

Click here to make your donation today. Thanks, from the bottom of my heart.

Milestones

Sue (right) raised over $400 for the PMC!

Over the last few weeks I've passed several milestones in my Pan-Mass Challenge training season. On the fundraising front, I surpassed the $1,000 mark on May 21, earlier than I ever have (last year it took me until July 6 to pass $1,000). I greatly appreciate donations early in the season, as they allow me to focus on my training, which is always toughest at the beginning as I wake my muscles up from their long winter rest.

I also recently held my first fundraiser. The generous folks at Hubba Hubba Foods donate the proceeds from their first farmer's market of the year to a cancer charity, and this year they chose to support my ride! Despite the cold and rainy weather, we raised over $400 to fight cancer. Thanks again, Sue!

I also had two training milestones. I had my first back-to-back training rides on Memorial Day weekend. This is an important training strategy, as you get no rest between cycling days on the PMC! In fact, the addition of the unofficial "Day 0" makes it a 3-day, 275-mile journey. Training two days in a row is crucial to making sure you can sit back down on that seat after riding 110 miles the day before!

Finally, I also have completed my first 50+ mile ride of the season a few weeks ago, which is a full month  before my first 50-mile ride last season. I'm traveling a lot in June for work, which is putting a crimp in my training plans, but having that 50-miler under by belt already is going to make a big difference when I have time to devote to training again.

Only 8 weeks till the ride! Have you made your donation yet? 100% of your gift will go directly to the Jimmy Fund to support cancer research at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Your dollars are getting results (which I'll blog about another time). We are saving lives, trust me! Click here to make your donation today.