Pedal Partner's Connection To PMC Comes Full Circle

ARLINGTON (CBS) - One of the youngest riders in this year's two-day Pan Mass Challenge began inspiring an entire PMC team when he was just three years-old.

Back then, Devin Bemis of Arlington was sick with leukemia. Even at that young age, he remembers the support that surrounded him and his family. And he remembers that people on bicycles were always around.

Many of those cyclists ride the PMC for Team Martignetti. Devin was the team's first PMC Pedal Partner. When members of the team got to know Devin and his family, they felt an even deeper connection to the PMC and its mission.

Team captain, Freddy Cicerchia says, "It reinforces the goal to wipe out cancer. And it brings it very real and right to your heart."

Almost thirteen years later, just before Christmas 2014, Freddy got a call from Devin's mom, Jean.

"She wanted me to know that Devin was 16 now and he could do the whole ride," he remembers. Jean wanted to know if she and Devin could join Team Martignetti.

"I've gotta tell you," Freddy says, "tears were rolling down my cheeks."

Devin wanted to "give back" in the very way people supported him—by raising money for Dana Farber Cancer Institute and riding the 2015 PMC.

Members of Team Martignetti ride with two names on their jerseys: Devin and Max.

Ten year-old Max Palmer is the team's current Pedal Partner.

Max survived Stage Four Neuroblastoma. But the treatments damaged every organ in his body and stunted his growth.

Devin says he'll be thinking of Max on this year's ride. "It's going to be interesting because I'm going to be (seeing) the situation…from a whole different point of view. It's kind of inspiring really. Maybe someday Max will be doing this ride!"