Every year Plymouth Fitness selects a non-profit organization to support. Over the years it has been the Boy’s & Girls Club of Plymouth, Jordan Hospital, ARC of Greater Plymouth, Plymouth Veteran’s Services and many others. This year the club is supporting the Dana-Faber Cancer Institute’s Pan-Mass Challenge.
The Pan-Mass Challenge raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1980, the PMC has successfully melded support from committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual contributors. All are essential to the PMC’s goal and model: to attain maximum fundraising efficiency while increasing its annual gift. Our hope and aspiration is to provide Dana-Farber’s doctors and researchers with the necessary resources to discover cures for all cancers.
The Sidoti Family have been members of Plymouth Fitness since 2006. Their commitment to the Pan-Mass Challenge is inspiring…
Cara Sidoti’s Story: I ride for my Nonny. The woman who taught me dice games and let me help her cook. The grandmother who made sleep over’s at her house an adventure. The caring, loving woman who gave big hugs, and pink lipstick kisses on our cheeks. I ride because after a three year heroic battle, Nonny passed away to ovarian cancer. I ride for my Nonno who died right before I was born of colon cancer. I never got the chance to meet him or spend time with him because cancer took him far too early. I ride for a family-friend and neighbor, Louie, who passed away at 46 years old leaving behind his two young daughters and an amazing wife. I ride for Dave, a family-friend who was overcome by brain cancer in the blink of an eye. I ride in memory of my Aunt Cathy, a strong, determined, and inspiring person. A friend to many, a teacher to hundreds of students, a caring mother, and for me, a funny, good-spirited aunt. I ride for Janice, a good friend who is currently battling breast cancer. I ride for a friend of mines father. What they thought was a winter cough a cat scan proved to be a mass in the lower lobe of his left lung and tumors covering his lymph nodes. Undergoing weeks of chemotherapy and radiation, all the while still finding strength to go to work everyday, he defeated cancer and can proudly say he is a survivor. I ride for my little cousin Juliana who fought through cancer as a toddler. Today at just nine years old, Juliana can say she is a survivor. I ride in memory of the loved ones we have lost, to help the ones who are still fighting, and in celebration for those who have survived. I ride so that one-day we won’t have to see the ones we love suffer. I ride so that one day no one will feel the pain that cancer leaves in its wake.
Jon Sidoti Jr.’s Story: Ever since I can remember, I can picture the first weekend of August. My father would leave at the earliest hour on Saturday morning to drive up to Sturbridge where he would begin his epic cycle across Massachusetts. I always admired his commitment and hoped that some day I would get the chance to give back, ride in, and be a part of the Pan-Mass Challenge. In 2005, after being touched by the despicable disease known as cancer countless times too many, I rode my first PMC. It was like nothing that I had ever seen before. It amazed me all the thousands of riders, volunteers, and support that were up for the 5 am start. What lied ahead of us at the start of a tremendous bike ride was very minuscule in comparison to what my Nonny had faced the year before, what my Nonno was taken by in 1991, and what other cancer victims endure. I’m riding in memory of the loved ones we’ve lost and the ones who are still fighting.
Jon Sidoti’s Story: In September 2004 my Mother passed away after a three year heroic battle with ovarian cancer. In 1991 it was my Dad who died from colon cancer. During the years in between I’ve seen several friends, relatives and neighbors similarly touched by this insidious disease. Some are lucky, they’re diagnosed early and have a chance to beat it. Others are not so fortunate. In the end Cancer leaves its unmistakable mark. For me, that mark is in the form of an unwavering commitment to the cause of bringing an end to cancer during my lifetime. And as I see it, the best way for me to help make this happen is to participate in the PMC.
Plymouth Fitness supported the Sidoti’s fund raising efforts this year in several ways: Smoothie “Tip” Jar, Car Wash, Money for Miles Expresso Cycle Challenge, Zumba-thon and $10 Guest Day. Over $3700 was raised!
