Newton cyclists seek to raise $2.17M for Dana-Farber cancer research

When 209 Newton residents volunteer or take to their bikes on August 2-3 for the 46th Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), they’ll be proceeding with extraordinary momentum having already raised $1,854,322 toward their collective goal of $2,171,400.

The Newton contingent represents one of the most dedicated PMC communities in Massachusetts, with riders ranging from 40 first-time participants to seasoned veterans who have been pedaling for cancer research for over four decades.

Long-time riders, remarkable success

At the forefront of this year’s efforts is Michael Frieze, whose $78,980 raised thus far in 2025 represents just the latest chapter in his 43-year PMC career. Frieze has raised over $6.7 million for Dana-Farber over more than four decades — making him not only Newton’s top fundraiser this year but one of the PMC’s most legendary participants. At 87 years old, Frieze will ride 50 mile round trip route from Wellesley this year.

Following closely thus far this year are Dave Grossman ($53,155), Michael McKay ($50,943), Lee Nadler ($47,500), and Adam Suttin ($33,705). Together, these five top fundraisers have raised over $12.08 million for Dana-Farber over their combined PMC careers.

The depth of Newton’s PMC commitment becomes even more impressive when examining the community’s veteran riders. Grossman leads in longevity with 44 years of participation, having raised $555,175 over his PMC career. Close behind is Frieze with 43 years, followed by a group of riders who have each participated for over 35 years.

Other standout lifetime fundraisers include:

• Lee Nadler: $3.1 million over 26 years
• Steven Segal: $2.2 million over 36 years
• Adam Suttin: $1.3 million over 19 years
• Steven Branfman: $991,308 over 22 years

PMC’s impact on Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

The Pan-Mass Challenge has become the nation’s most successful athletic fundraising event, having raised over $1 billion for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since its founding in 1980. In 2024 alone, the PMC raised a record-breaking $75 million, with this year’s goal set at $76 million.

So far in 2025, the PMC has raised nearly $23 million across all participants. Newton’s $1.85 million represents 8.1% of the total 2025 PMC fundraising to date. This pace builds on Newton’s strong 2024 performance, when the returning cyclists raised $3.35 million, representing 4.5% of that year’s total. These figures reflect only riders continuing from last year.

“Thanks to the determination of PMC riders, volunteers, donors, and sponsors, we are Closer By the Mile to funding the cures for cancer,” said Billy Starr, PMC Founder and Chairman. “Our collective impact demonstrates what is possible when people rally around a shared mission. Now, the PMC community is focused on raising the next billion.”

The PMC’s model ensures that 100% of rider-raised revenue goes directly to Dana-Farber, making every dollar donated a direct investment in cancer research and patient care. Dana-Farber’s researchers have played pivotal roles in developing over half of all cancer drugs approved by the FDA from 2018-2022, meaning Newton’s fundraising directly contributes to breakthrough treatments saving lives worldwide.

Personal connections, close to home

For many Newton riders, the cause hits close to home. Some ride in honor of loved ones fighting cancer, while others have been personally touched by Dana-Farber’s life-saving research and care. This personal connection fuels the dedication that has made Newton’s PMC community so successful.

With training intensifying, and fundraising campaigns continuing through September, Newton’s PMC riders are preparing for both the physical and emotional challenge ahead. The ride itself — whether the 25-mile family route or the full 186-mile journey — represents just one weekend of a year-long commitment to fighting cancer.

Newton riders’ fundraising pages

Links to individual rider fundraising pages are listed alphabetically by last name below:

Ilana Amrani-Cohen, Eman Ansari, Edward Arnstein, David Aronoff, Frank Aronson, Jane Avers, Karen Axelrod, Jess Baccari, Laurence Bailen, Joel Bard, John Barter, Benjamin Bates, Rachel Beaver, Owen Beaver, Tyler Belisle, Gary Belowich, Barry Benjamin, Paul Benson, David Berg, Michael Berger, Rachelle Bernacki, Piotr Bielecki, David Blume, Amelia Bowman, Joshua Bowman, Ellen Branfman, Steven Branfman, Archer Brayley, Douglas Brayley, Jessica Brooks, Bruce Brumberg, David Bunis, Krista Busnach, Michael Busnach, Jeffrey Bussgang, Marjorie Butler, Mike Cantor, Michael Chinitz, Ates Civitci, Marc Cohen, Ellen Cohen-Kaplan, Doug Cornelius, Eleanor Cornell, Nava Cretu-Kessel, Carter Crowley, Bill Crowley, Suzan Czajkowski, Jacob Decker, Marc Decker, Andrew DeCristoforo, David Diamond, Debbie Donovan, Portia Durbin, Nina Eigerman, Barb Epstein, Michael Epstein, Phil Evans, Sue Farrell, Joel Feinberg, Nicole Ferreira, Ridgely Ficks, Charles Fievet, Erica Fine, Joshua Fine, Nancy Finn, Mark Fitzpatrick, Michael Frieze, Tom Gallitano, Thomas Garnitz, Paul Gershkowitz, Brian Ghoshhajra, Jason Gilbert, Wolfram Goessling, Jonathan Gordon, Charles Grant, Gregory Grobstein, Penelope Grossman, Dave Grossman, Marc Gundersheim, Barbara Gutman, Kathryn Harris, Ira Hart, Doug Haslam, Spencer Haught, Deborah Hicks, James Hirsch, Karen Hirsch, Zoe Hirsch, Philip Hirshberg, Steven Holstein, Matthew Horvitz, Adam Howes, John Ingram, David Iwatsuki, Michael Johnstone, Todd Kamens, Jeff Kaplan, Jeff Karp, Barnet Kessel, Leah Koenigsberg, Mark Krajewski, Patricia Krajewski, Ronald Lanoue, Bernard Lebow, Jas Lee, Peter Lefkowitz, Maria Levit, Alexandra Levy, David Levy, Joshua Levy, Jeffrey Lieb, Frank Litwin, Ronald Lubin, Michelle Luo, Shannon Macomber, Matthew Manke, Ted Marple, Sonya Marquez, Suzanne Masterson, Christophe Mathieu, Sean McDonald, Jennie McGarry, Tim McGovern, Matthew McGuiness, Michael McKay, Michael McKee, Daniel Mekler, Isy Mekler, Kathleen Moineau, Elizabeth Morahan, Jeremy Munn, Noa Munn, Ann Murray, Eric Nadel, Lee Nadler, Andrew Nathan, Brooks Neufeld, Russell Neufeld, Daniel Norton, Adam Nussenbaum, Allison ONeill, Barbara Oppenheimer, Matthew Oser, Alan Paret, David Pemstein, Rachel Pemstein, Larry Perlov, Alex Peselman, John Plotz, Maya Poorvu, Jack Prior, Melissa Prudhomme, Isabella Pucker, Ken Pucker, Benjamin Raby, Karen Rednor, Robert Reisch, Cory Resnick, Duncan Richardson, Rachel Rock, Pam Rosenberg, Judi Rosensweig, Michele Rosenthal, Christopher Ryan, Helle Sachse, Robin Saitz, Paul Samson, Brian Schoenbeck, Lisa Schwartz, Ellen Segal, Steven Segal, Steven Siegel, Michael Silverstein, John Simmons, Barry Slosberg, Stephen Smith, Ethan Solomon, Robert Solomon, Melissa Sommer, David Southiere, John Speyer, Roger Spingarn, Alan Starr, Laurie Starr, Denise Staubach, Peter Staubach, Russell Stein, Andy Sucoff, Paul Sullivan, Adam Suttin, Scott Timmins, Craig Underwood, Ariel Vardi, Rachel Vautour, Jake Weinberg, Scott Weiss, Andrew Welch, Adam Wesley, Jeffrey West, Alex Whiting, Jackie Wilkins, Loie Williams, Michael Wolfson, Michelle Wong, Wenxin Xu, Phillip Yacouby, Jeff Zabel, Jonathan Zaff, Joyce Zakim

Ed. Note: The author will be riding his 3rd Pan-Mass Challenge ride this year.