At the start at Sturbridge, pictured left to right: Jean Fisher, sister Kathy Dowd and family member Diane.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WESTFIELD — Jean Fisher of Westfield just completed her 20th year in the Pan Mass Challenge, cycling 186 miles in two days from Sturbridge to Provincetown to raise money for cancer research at the Dana Farber Institute.
Fisher, 61, a licensed massage therapist and owner of Journey Massage & Wellness in Westfield, pointed to a 21-year gap between this race and her last one. “There was a lot of angst — I wondered if I could do it, being a little older. But I had a family member who really inspired me to want to do something,” she said, adding that “basically all I can do is ride my bike.”
She said her relative had just been given the all clear after completing treatment for another cancer recurrence. Fisher said after seeing her go through all of this in the past year, she thought it would be nice to know someone was out there cheering for you, when you’re finishing all your treatment; “to celebrate the things that finish, and honor her,” Fisher said.
She said 1986 was the first year she rode, after she saw her friend Dennis Carson wearing a T-shirt, and had to wait a whole year to do it in 1986. She said Dennis and his brother had ridden in the very first event. But after 19 rides, she said, “Work, house, mortgage took over a little bit. [But] everything really came together this year.”
Fisher said coming back to the event this year, as opposed to her last one 21 years ago, she made a commitment to raise $6,000 for cancer research. Her 20-year total to date is $37,273 for cancer research.
Fisher said she rode with 6,500 bikers from eight different countries and 44 different states, aided by the help of 3,500 volunteers.
“I don’t think I’ve said thank you so many times this weekend to everyone involved. The cheering went on for 186 miles. It’s a very unique event, very organized, so much camaraderie and spirit, you wish you could bottle it up,” Fisher said after the race.
She also put in a plug for all of her training at the Westfield YMCA. “I could not have done it without my trainers, Shauna and Tony.”
Fisher is still raising money to meet her commitment. “One hundred percent of every dollar goes to Dana Farber Cancer Institute,” she said, adding, “I’m not quite there yet. On my way, I still have $2,000 more to raise.”
She said anyone who wishes to help may go to pmc.org and search Jean Fisher, or go directly to Pedaling with a Purpose in my 20th PMC!
“You will see a profile of why I’m riding and can donate right online,” she said.
“Her family and friends are all impressed with her dedication and commitment and how she rides in honor of survivors or in memory of those who have cancer,” said Fisher’s sister Kathy Dowd, who traveled with their brother and other family members to be there at the start of the race at 4:30 a.m. in Sturbridge.
When asked if she might take on the challenge again next year, Fisher said, “I really think the energy is there, as long as I can stay healthy.” She said having a little arthritis in her knees is nothing compared to what people fighting cancer have to face.
