Laura Steiglehner, daughter of Ernie and Janet Steiglehner of Arkville, and granddaughter of the late Francis and Laura Beland, completed her second 192-mile, two-day bike ride across the state of Massachusetts on August 3 to raise money for cancer research. The Pan Mass or PMC is so respected in cycling and fund-raising circles that each year people travel from all over the world to participate.
Laura says of the event, “Last year I didn’t think I could find enough adjectives to describe what an incredible experience the PMC was for me. This year, I can’t even find the words….”
The PMC generates half of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue and it is Dana-Farber’s largest contributor raising more than $33 million in 2007 for cancer research. This year, the 5,500 bicycle riders hope to raise $34 million with 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar going directly to cancer research.
When asked why she rides the grueling 192 miles from Sturbridge to Provincetown, Massachusetts, she said, “I ride because I can and because there are so many out there that aren’t able to. I ride because it allows me to feel, in some very small way, that I’m helping to make a dent in something so powerful. I ride because too many people I know have lost the fight, and I ride because so many have fought and won and because there are so many that continue to fight.”
This year Laura rode with yellow ribbons attached to her shirt, each ribbon containing the names of strong people that battled the disease that were close to her, many were relatives, friends and friends of friends. One thing that she noted however, is that a very good portion of those ribbons contain the names of survivors. Proof that with each mile she and the PMC team ride, we all get one step closer to a cure.
Laura plans on riding in the event next year, the 30th anniversary of its inception and wants to thank all those that have supported her in the past and will continue to support her and the cause in the future. In the meanwhile, the PMC is still accepting donations for this year’s ride through October 1. If you’d like to donate to Laura you can do so by logging on to: http://www.pmc.org/egifts/ and insert her name, Laura Steiglehner, or egift ID LS0168. Any donation, no matter the size, is truly appreciated.