June 3, 2025

This fall, I’ll be riding in PMC Unpaved—a 50-mile gravel ride through the backroads of Berkshire County and New York—as part of my ongoing commitment to the Pan-Mass Challenge and the fight against cancer.

I first signed up for the PMC after losing my sister, Loralee, to cancer. Since then, I’ve ridden in memory and in honor of so many—friends, family, and countless members of this community—whose stories have touched my heart. The more I ride, the more I realize how deeply cancer affects us all.

Though I won’t be part of the traditional August ride this year, I’m continuing the mission in my own way, on familiar roads, with the same determination.

100% of every dollar raised goes directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support critical cancer research and compassionate patient care. No overhead, no red tape—every gift, no matter the amount, goes straight to the front lines of the fight.

Please consider joining me by donating to this cause. Your support helps carry the torch of hope, healing, and progress.

My reimagined ride is linked here, It is the more familiar page to most of my past sponsors: Pan Mass Challenge Number 14

September 26, 2024,

This will be my second PMC effort this year, marking my thirteenth year participating, and my first ride as a grandfather.
If you've already donated to one of my rides this year, please know I am not seeking a second contribution, though I am deeply grateful for your support. As always, 100% of every rider dollar raised goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

I first became involved in this ride due to a personal loss, and over the years, I’ve gained even more reasons to keep riding. So many of us have been touched by cancer, and I ride not just for my reasons, but for yours as well. While I’ve met the minimum fundraising requirements for this year, every additional dollar brings us closer to a cure.

Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and belief in this mission. Together, we are making a difference.

Click here for my traditional Pan Mass Page

July 31, 2024

I signed up to participate in the Pan Mass Challenge this year as a virtual rider. In January, when I considered taking on this challenge, I chose not to sign up at that time due to the ailing health of my mom and Angie's dad. It has been a long road this spring. Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated Abby's marriage to Brady; it was a wonderful celebration, and now I have two great sons-in-law. We are expecting more good news in the fall. Given the way this year unfolded, I was relieved that I did not take on the full commitment in January, but now I feel called to pick up this important work.

I will participate in Day 0 with the team, riding from Lenox to Sturbridge. The great news is that all rides are filled up with many riders joining the cause. I received a phone call from my friend Matt this fall, informing me that our high school friend Todd Powers had passed away. Todd was a good friend with a great laugh who enjoyed car racing and loved his family. Through Matt, I had the good fortune to get reacquainted with Todd when he visited the Berkshires a few times before the pandemic. I was saddened to hear that Todd was taken away much too early by cancer.

My efforts this year will be in memory of Todd and my friend Jim Nykorchuk, who passed this spring. I used to teach with Jim at Taconic High School, where he was a phenomenal mentor and friend as a fellow Culinary Teacher. I often think of Jim and how he would approach things as a teacher. Joan Morrow, who passed in January, was a good friend and supporter of this ride. I will miss Joan’s celebratory correspondence. Also, Andy, an avid rider and caretaker of all things with four legs, has left a void. I am grateful to have had all of these people in my life and am richer for it.

I am also riding in support of the many friends and colleagues who are fighting the fight, and my thoughts will be with my parents as well. This commitment I cannot do alone, so I ask once again: would you consider donating to my ride through the Virtual Rider window on the PMC page or through my PMC Unpaved window?

Thanks again for all the support over the years. I know you have your reasons, as you have taken up this fight many times before. With over $10,000 donated last year and $78,000 donated over the years, I can't thank you enough for all your support.

Thanks for joining me in this fight. You can donate through the links at the top of this page or through my Unpaved window. Either way, 100% of every dollar raised will go to the PMC and to Dana Farber to fight cancer and research improved treatments.

With faith and gratitude, Dan

Why I PMC (unpaved.org)

or donate to anyone on our team

WE'RE BACK! Forza-G & PMC2024

September 25, 2023

What an amazing event with a local town feel. Matt Benkhe and I chose to do the Eagle which is the 50 mile ride. The hills were tough, but I felt really good though 35 of the 50 miles before fatigue really started to set in. There were some great roads some familiar and some quite interesting that I had not been on. I saw Adeilia's photo before Resoivoir Rd. She is our pedal partner, she loves wonder woman, is in second grade and is fighting cancer. I saw her updated story through the team email and was just moved to tears and felt so grateful for all of your support on these rides. Your amazing.

September 9, 2023

Due to peoples overwhelming generosity towards my Pan Mass effort I am motivated to participate in the fall Gravel Ride (Dirt Roads) called PMC unpaved. The ride is 50 miles long. This is also a fundraiser to fight Cancer where 100% of every dollar raised goes to research and treatment of cancer. My goal is to thank all of my sponsors for donating a cumulative $9300 dollars for this summers PMC road ride and perhaps reach out to a few new sponsors that might be interested in joining our fight. I am not trying to hit sponsors up twice but if anyone new wants to join the fight against cancer, of course that would be awesome. Be well friends, Dan

I'm a proud participant in PMC Unpaved, a gravel bike ride over the scenic backroads of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts to raise funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund. PMC Unpaved - a spoke in the wheel of the Pan-Mass Challenge's yearly fundraising campaign - is October 4, 2025.

This fall, I will be riding and fundraising to bring us Closer by the Mile to a cure for cancer. 100 percent of all rider-raised funds go directly to innovative cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber, one of the world's premier cancer centers dedicated to advancing cancer research and care.

Please help me reach my goal - every donation makes a difference.