Team Brent ~ Together we are making a difference.

The PanMass Challenge is the nation's original fundraising bike-a-thon and today raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country.

Overheard....

Ian Murray, CEO and Co-founder Vineyard Vines says "We feel so honored to work with an incredible organization like TeamBrent. It's amazing to see how they've brought the community together.”

Billy Starr, Founder and Executive Director, The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge says "Team Brent typifies how effective a motivated constituency can be when they work together toward a common goal. The team is a fundraising force that has galvanized a township in Connecticut and has raised almost 2 million dollars to fight Neuroblastoma cancer through the PMC."

Lisa Diller, Clinical Director of Pediatric Oncology for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & Children's Hospital Boston says "I am inspired each year when I hear about the TeamBrent Pan Mass Challenge Team helping my colleagues and me at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital fight childhood cancer. Please know we appreciate all that you do to help conquer childhood cancer!"

Roger Haney, Executive Director, TeamBrentWheels says "Being a part of TeamBrentWheels and the PMC is nothing short of amazing. The team is much more than just a group of folks coming together to fight a horrible disease – it has grown into a Big Family that rides hard, laughs harder, and sheds a tear or two. I will always look forward to the first weekend in August."

We are so proud to be a part of annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) bike ride which runs all across Massachusetts – from Sturbridge to Provincetown. It's an amazing time. The 31st annual PMC took place August 7 & 8. Fifty-six members of TeamBrent (our cycling arm is known as TeamBrentWheels) proudly rode alongside over 5,000 other cyclists in the two day ride, with thousands of supporters along the route cheering. We enjoyed seeing the children on the side of the road holding signs saying, “I am 11 now because of you. Thank you PMC riders,” and “My heart beats because of your feet.” These are the true heroes who make the biking feel easy.

The collective goal is to raise millions of dollars for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) . PMC, the nation's premier charity bike-a-thon, raises more money than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. The money is donated through the Institute's Jimmy Fund, and used for lifesaving cancer research and care. Not only has TeamBrentWheels contributed $1.8 million to fight Neuroblastoma cancer at the Dana Farber in our first six years….we have had a blast. In 2010, Our 56 riders and 10 roadies had a great time tackling the 200 miles with smiles on their faces. It was TeamBrent's sixth ride and a fabulous weekend for us.

The PMC is a model of fundraising efficiency. The PMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause, generates half of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue and is Dana-Farber's single largest contributor. There are so many incredibly worthy causes out there, and every dollar donated represents a choice. First, to donate that dollar to charity, and second, to donate it towards the fight against childhood cancer (vs. another worthy fight). For that we are grateful that we can be assured that every cent of these hard earned dollars goes to the right place. The PMC is on target to contribute $300 million to lifesaving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute from 1980 - 2010. And it is fun! The PMC has a 71.5 percent rider retention rate, with cyclists coming from 36 states and 8 countries. Some PMC cyclists are weekend warriors; others are trained triathletes (this holds true of TeamBrentWheels as well!).

While overall PMC funds fight cancer in general at the Dana Farber, we have partnered with Dr. Lisa Diller, (credentials at top of page) to specifically fight Neuroblastoma, a cancer that affects children exclusively. In previous years, the team's funds have gone towards a new treatment room at Boston Children's Hospital, allowing for MIBG radiotherapy for children with relapsed Neuroblastoma, and for participation in future trials. Dr. Lisa Diller, CMO and Clinical Director of Pediatric Oncology at the Institute and Children's Hospital says, “We will be able to participate in these trials because we have a room – thanks to TeamBrent!”

TeamBrentWheels is on track to raise somewhere between $370 and 400k this year ……. Every single cent that was donated will be used immediately by Brent's doctors to get new treatments for Neuroblastoma to patients, and help find a cure. The doctors will do this by using funds to expand their team with the right personnel: hiring a skilled research nurse and research coordinators immediately, who will be dedicated to working with novel therapies for Neuroblastoma, including antibody therapy. For the future, Drs Diller & Shusterman are working with laboratory investigators to develop personalized medicine for this tumor — if we can know the genetics of a child's tumor, we can individualize the therapy!

This takes a team approach, from the lab to the clinic, and the team will be supported by TeamBrentWheels.

Many of us have had our lives impacted by friends and family diagnosed with cancer. It's just not right. We have to fight it. Brent is living proof that together we can make a difference - and for that we thank you. SIGN UP FOR THE 2011 RIDE WILL OCCUR IN JANUARY. Contact us if you'd like to learn more.