The year 2013 marked two significant milestones for Jenn Campbell, 29, of Acton. She had her first child and her husband, Tom, 40, a seven-year Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) cyclist, celebrated his 10th year being cancer-free. As a tribute to both occasions, she helped to bring the PMC Kids Rides program to her community. On Sunday, June 1, she will co-host the second annual Acton-Boxboro PMC Kids Ride, during which more than 200 children, ages 3 to 16, will ride to raise $20,000 to help fight cancer.
The PMC Kids Rides are spokes in the PMC wheel, joining the more than 5,800 adult PMC cyclists in their mission to fund adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. The PMC is a two-day, 190-mile bike-a-thon held the first weekend of every August. Since its inception in 1998, the PMC Kids Rides program has raised more than $5.5 million.
Jenn’s motivation to bring the PMC mission to children in her community was twofold. She saw the mini bike-a-thon as a great opportunity to raise money to help fund research for a disease that seems to be increasingly prevalent in town. She also wanted to provide kids with an outlet to express themselves and help make sense of a disease that affects their loved ones while teaching them the concept of philanthropy and making a difference for others.
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“I can’t imagine being a child and not knowing how to cope with a cancer diagnosis,” says Jenn. “The Acton-Boxboro PMC Kids Ride gives young participants a way to feel empowered by something they may not completely understand but feel the effects of in their lives.”
As a young adult, Jenn had to cope with two family members being diagnosed with cancer. Her mother, Janet, and her aunt, Diane, were both diagnosed with breast cancer. Although both women underwent treatment, only her mother survived the disease. Diane was just 47 years old when she passed away.
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The other survivor in Jenn’s life is Tom who was diagnosed in 2002 with esthesioneuroblastoma, a rare tumor which occurs in the nasal cavity. His only prior symptoms were extensive nosebleeds. According to doctors, the tumor had been growing slowly inside him for years. The following year, he underwent radiation and a specialized surgery to remove the cancer. Although he lost his sense of smell, Tom has been in remission ever since. He continues to go for annual MRIs with his family by his side.
On Aug. 2 and 3, Tom will be among more than 5,800 cyclists who will participate in the 35th annual PMC to raise $40 million. He will pedal for the cause as a member of Team Lick Cancer, a group of 70 PMC cyclists of varying ages and cycling experience levels, many of whom are second generation riders. Through the PMC Pedal Partner Program, the team was matched with Hailey Giguere, a 15-year-old Jimmy Fund Clinic patient battling brain cancer, who they will dedicate their ride to this year. The PMC Pedal Partner program, now in its 14th year, matches Jimmy Fund Clinic patients with teams of PMC cyclists who ride the August event in their honor.
In its second year, the Acton-Boxboro PMC Kids Ride is looking to grow and recruit new young cyclists. During the event, participants will have the opportunity to pedal one of two routes around Nara Park in Acton. There will be a party after the ride, which will include games, bike decorating, face painting, a visit from the local fire department, refreshments, raffle prizes and a DJ. Slyde the Fox, the New England Revolution’s mascot, will make a special appearance.
“Although my children will be too young to participate in the event, the entire family will be there to cheer on other cyclists and supporters,” says Jenn, whose due date of her second child is only two weeks prior to the ride. “There is nothing you can do if you or a loved one is going to get cancer. However, events like the Acton-Boxboro PMC Kids Ride help to empower and unite families to remind them that they are not alone.”
The Acton-Boxboro PMC Kids Ride will be held on Sunday, June 1, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at Nara Park located at 25 Ledgerock Way in Acton. There is a $15 pre-registration fee that increases to $20 on event day. All riders must raise a minimum of $25 for the PMC. For more information or to register to ride or volunteer, email Mary Lavene at pmckidsab@gmail.com.
