Kaneohe cyclist takes on 170-mile ride for cancer research

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An Oahu man is preparing to ride in a two-day bike-a-thon across Massachusetts.

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Next weekend, Timathy Medlock of Kaneohe will travel across the country to join nearly 6,500 cyclists in the annual Pan-Mass Challenge.

His route starts in Worcester and stretches over 170 miles to the finish line in Provincetown, just at the tip of Cape Cod.

The challenge directly funds life-saving research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, one of the nation’s top three centers for cancer research and care.

“Everyone has their problems, but I think cancer is one of those things where it goes beyond all the other noise in society right now,” said Medlock. “It’s such a devastating thing both physically and mentally to the people directly to you and to the people around you.”

Medlock is among many riders who have lost loved ones to the disease and is dedicating his ride to the memory of his mother and close friend.

“It’s kind of like cycling through those moments and enjoying them in a sense where you’re reliving them and not thinking of it in a sad way,” Medlock said. “It’s unfortunate the path, the timing of events, but I’m embracing and relishing in the great times that were had.”

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Since the Pan-Mass Challenge was founded in 1980, it has raised more than $1.125 billion in funds for Dana-Farber, making it the organization’s largest single contributor. It accounts for 67 percent of the annual revenue of The Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber’s community-driven charity arm.

The PMC additionally provides nearly $20 million in funds to Dr. Brian Wolpin, the Principal Investigator of a recent groundbreaking clinical trial that doubled survival rates of patients with pancreatic cancer.

This year’s bike-a-thon comes at a critical time, with federal research support shrinking, grant approval rates reaching historic lows, and cancer cases continuing to rise.

“We should all do just a little bit to help push in the right direction to get to an inevitable future where we have a stronger fight against the disease, where we’re able to better combat and better support those families,” Medlock said.

Organizers said 100 percent of all donations will go directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

To support Timathy on his ride and donate to the PMC, visit the Pan-Mass website.

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