Dana-Farber Nurses Find Special Meaning In Pan-Mass Challenge

BOSTON (CBS) -- Laughter and conversation flow easily between Sandy Norton and Maura Dacey.

"We talk about family. We talk about sports. I can talk with her about anything," said Sandy.

It's a sentiment echoed by Maura: "She's got the grandkids. We love the Patriots. We could talk all day her and I."

Maura has been caring for Sandy at Dana-Farber since her cancer diagnosis in November.

"It's not just taking care of the patient and giving them a drug. You're getting involved in everything with them," explained Maura.

"She's so compassionate, so professional. I look forward to the time I get to chat with her," said Sandy.

A short walk from Sandy's treatment room, Mary Poyner Reed oversees the nursing staff of the youngest patients at Dana Farber in the Jimmy Fund Clinic.

"It's palpable, the magic in the Jimmy Fund," said Mary. And it's a magic made possible, in no small part, by an army of dedicated nurses.

That passion doesn't end at the end of the day. Mary and Maura are among the Dana-Farber nurses who also ride the Pan-Mass Challenge.

They said they do it, "because we want a cure. We want to get out of this business. That's our goal."

Their rides are motivated by their patients and personal loss.  Mary will take on her first PMC in honor of her close friend and former boss Patti Branowicki.

"So I'm doing it for Patti and for the kids I see every day in the Jimmy Fund with their smiles," she said.

Maura rides for her brother Joey who died when Maura was just six years old.  It was a loss that would propel her in a career in medicine.  "I have known since I was a young kid that I would be a nurse."

The money raised by this pair of PMC riders will go directly to Dana-Farber patients. A majority of the money will be used to cover patient costs for food, hotels, and transportation. Another portion will be dedicated to cancer research.   And they hope that every mile on the bike will lead to another patient heading home healthy.

The Pan-Mass Challenge will be held August 6th and 7th.  Watch  the Opening Ceremony on WBZ-TV live from Sturbridge August 5th at 7pm.

Visit the event's website for more information on the PMC or to make a donation toMaura and Mary's team.