First-Ever PMC Kids Ride at Patriot Place to Raise Money for Cancer Care and Research

New this summer, the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) Patriot Place Kids Ride will be one of 35 PMC Kids Rides held in neighborhoods throughout New England and beyond.

The PMC Kids Rides program is expected to attract more than 6,000 cyclists between the ages of 3 and 114, who will ride up to 26 miles in mini-bike-a-thons to raise money for cancer care and research on Sunday, Aug. 5.

The PMC Kids Rides are spokes in the PMC wheel, joining the more than 5,500 adult PMC cyclists in their mission to fund adult and pediatric cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. The PMC is the two-day, 190-mile bike-a-thon held each August. Since 1980, the PMC has raised $338 million for the Jimmy Fund and nine Foxborough residents are participating in the 2012 ride.

PMC Kids Rides offer a way for children to become part of the PMC mission, involving young people in volunteerism and fundraising in a safe and athletic way. The PMC Kids Rides program has raised more than $4 million since it was founded in 1998.

To give the young cyclists an additional push, the PMC recognizes cyclists in the Kids Rides program who raise $250 or more. Riders who meet this goal are honored as Heavy Hitters and receive a backpack and a certificate from the PMC acknowledging their fundraising achievements.

More than 200 children ages 3 to 14 are expected to attend, riding one of three routes designed for varying cycling abilities, in and around Patriot Place, in Foxborough. The PMC Patriot Place Kids Ride is an outgrowth of the PMC Covidien Mansfield Kids Ride, managed by healthcare products leader Covidien. By opening up this ride to the broader community, the hope is to increase ridership and fundraising beyond the $32,000 donated in the last three years.

There will be a party after the ride, which will include face-painting, raffles, games and more. In addition, Gillette Stadium at Patriot Place will be a water stop along the adult ride routes, with more than 600 riders expected to come through.

The PMC Patriot Place Kids Ride will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 5, at Patriot Place in Foxborough. There is a $10 registration fee and a $25 fundraising minimum. PMC Kids Rides are sponsored by Stop & Shop.

Riders may register and contributions can be made by visiting http://www.kids.pmc.org/patriotplace.

For more information, contact Teresa Hacunda at (508) 261-8559 or call 800-WE-CYCLE.