2015 Pan Mass Challenge Raises $45M For Dana Farber Cancer Institute

BOSTON (CBS) - Pan Mass Challenge riders are celebrating an incredible milestone! This year's ride raised $45 million for research and treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. PMC Founder and Executive Director, Billy Starr says the number of riders was up this year. But, beyond that, riders simply raised more money.

The ride total for the 2014 PMC was $41 million. To raise $4 million more in 2015 is a great achievement. But here is the truly incredible figure: since the first PMC in 1980, the ride has raised $500,000,000 (a half-BILLION dollars) for DFCI.

WBZ's Lisa Hughes, a 5-year PMC rider, asked Starr, "What's next?" "Take the money. Cure cancer," Starr answered. "That's what we all want. It's selfless and it's selfish. It's what everybody is in this for."

Starr says the "real heroes" are the people who are changing lives and creating new treatments and therapies at DFCI. Starr referred to the riders as "a remarkable group of people" who answer the call in the fight against cancer by joining the life-affirming ride in August.

WBZ-TV is proud to be the PMC's media sponsor and broadcasts the opening ceremonies live from Sturbridge on the Friday evening before the ride.

Registration for the 2016 PMC opens up in January.

For more information: PMC.org