WESTFIELD-Brian Kelly now rides the Pan-Mass Challenge in his dad’s memory.
Each spring, as Kelly starts preparing for the 192-mile route from Sturbridge to Provincetown that raises funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, he composes a thoughtful letter to bring his supporters up-to-date on Team Perseverance which he leads. This year, the team consists of 35 riders from across New England.
Brian Kelly, an owner of Westfield Home & Garden, is gearing up for his yearly training to participate in the Pan-Mass Challenge.
The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), founded in 1980, is a bike-a-thon that runs through 46 towns across the state. More than 6,000 cyclists rode in 2015, selecting from 12 routes of varying mileage designed to cater to all levels of cycling strength and fundraising ability. Cyclists are required to raise between $500 and $5,000 to ride in the event, depending on the chosen route.
The challenge is presented by the Red Sox Foundation and New Balance and raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country, according to its website.
During an interview earlier this week at the family owned Westfield Home & Garden on Springfield Road, where Kelly is one of the owners, he spoke passionately about his drive to raise funds for both organizations.
“I chose to do the Pan-Mass Challenge a number of years ago as a way to say thank you to the very organization that saved my father when he was diagnosed with leukemia,” said Kelly, adding that his father passed away in 2015 but it was not due to cancer.
During Kelly’s father’s final days in the hospital, he said the family received a visit from the oncologist.
“He came in to say goodbye to dad and spend some time with our family,” said Kelly. “As he spoke, he told us of the early days of dad’s cancer treatment. He explained how fortunate we were. Had the medication that dad was taking right up to the end not been created, we were looking at perhaps a two- to three-year life expectancy. Dad was diagnosed over 14 years ago.”
Kelly noted that without that medication, funded by the Pan-Mass Challenge, created in part by the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber, his dad’s life would have been “cut much too short.”
As Kelly dons his Synapse bike and starts gearing up for doing 125 miles a week to get in top form for the Aug. 6-7 challenge, his dad is always front and center in his mind.
“I now ride in my dad’s memory,” said Kelly. “My PMC journey will forever be rooted in gratitude for saving his life.”
Kelly added that is it now time for him to save somebody else’s “Poppo,” the name that his dad’s grandchildren bestowed on him.
“There is another family out there that faces the same threat that we did,” said Kelly. “There is another family praying for the same miracle we received. The challenge, the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber gave me over 14 years to spend with my dad after his initial diagnosis.”
Since Kelly sets a goal of raising a minimum of $4,500 in pledges each year, his family has planned a kick-off fundraiser at the Shortstop Bar & Grill at 99 Springfield Road on May 17 from 4 to 9 p.m. Ten percent of a party’s food sales (excluding alcohol and tax) will be donated when the flyer for the event from the Shortstop’s website is presented.
For persons who would also like to make a tax-deductible donation to PMC, Kelly noted that pledges can be made online at www.pmc.org and search for “Brian Kelly,” or checks can be dropped off during the May 17 event.
“The PMC has become a family event,” said Kelly, adding his wife Stacey and their sons, Michael, 15, and Patrick, 14, and his mom Barbara Kelly, are always at rest stops along the route to cheer him on and provide bottles of water for “refueling.”
“Rest stops and our team rest stops become a very social event as we meet up and connect with team members and our family members,” said Kelly.
Stacey Kelly echoed those sentiments.
“The challenge is the most emotional thing we’ve been involved with,” she said, adding that when cyclist Billy Starr who established the event speaks, everyone listens. “When you see Billy Starr it’s like seeing a rock star, he’s so passionate about the challenge.”
Kelly said Team Perseverance is a small team but its members have a big heart.
“Our riders do not receive huge corporate sponsorships,” said Kelly. “Any donation we receive adds up and is greatly appreciated.”
Since Kelly only took up the sport of cycling at age 36, now at 41, he has many years ahead to ride – as well as with his sons one day.
“My sons are just getting into cycling now and we will do our first ride together on June 12 during Katelynn’s Ride/Run,” said Kelly. “As a parent, it is important for me to teach my kids about investing their time for the benefit of the greater good of all.” Katelynn’s Ride/Run was founded in 2001 in memory of Katelynn Battista of West Springfield who lost her battle with cancer at age 11.
Kelly added that in addition to the lifelong friendships he has made during the past few years of the challenge, he relishes in the sense of accomplishment crossing the finishing line and raising the money that is needed to cure cancer.
“I have to believe we will see a cure in my lifetime,” he said.
