Melissa Russell
Like many people, Mike Ascione is well acquainted with the cruel ravages of cancer. It took his father, other family members, and family friends. Twenty years ago, to help in the fight against cancer, the long-time Belmont resident got on his bike and began riding for the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), the primary fundraiser for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
Two decades later, he has ridden to the top of the organization. Last week, the PMC announcedAscione was appointed chairman of its board of directors after serving as treasurer. Well-known in Belmont as a youth sports coach, Ascione is managing director of the Boston-based investment firm Berkshire Partners. He’s also an alum of Boston College, where he serves on the school’s Board of Trustees and is on the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.
Ascione calls the PMC a family affair, with his four children and wife Kate participating as riders and volunteers.
“For me and my family, the PMC has very much become an annual event,” he said. “It has become part of the fabric of our family, a way to give back to the community.”
Founded in 1980 by Billy Starr, the Pan-Mass Challenge is a bike-a-thon that has raised millions of dollars for cancer care and research. This year’s ride, scheduled for Aug. 3 and 4, will see thousands of bikers ride several routes, the longest stretching from central Massachusetts to the tip of Cape Cod.
Ascione called the event “extraordinary” and “spiritual in the communal sense.”
“I think it is that sense of community, coming together for a shared purpose and a shared cause is, in today’s world, rare,” he said. “You have ten thousand people on the same mission over the course of a weekend. It is a special feeling.”
This year’s goal is to beat last year’s $72 million tally. If the PMC tops that number, it will tip the fundraising event over the $1 billion mark. As board chair, Ascione will play an integral role in meeting this year’s fundraising goal and in the continued growth of the foundation, according to PMC press materials.
“The challenge every year is can we raise more money for cancer research and save more lives than we have last year,” he said. “The challenge will be, how do we raise the next billion in far less time? How do we continue to grow our ridership, increase the number of volunteers, and expand the event?”
In a statement, Starr praised the selection of Ascione as board chair.
“Mike has a deep understanding of, and passion for, the PMC’s mission as a long-time PMC rider and board member,” Starr said. “Not only Mike but the entire Ascione family has been committed to the PMC for many years. On behalf of the entire PMC community, I want to congratulate Mike on this well-deserved recognition within our organization.”
Ascione encourages everyone who can participate in the PMC, either as a rider, donor, or volunteer.
“I would tell everyone PMC weekend is one of the most special weekends of the year. It is an incredible community,” he said. “I encourage everybody who is interested to come out and join us. We’d love to have you.”
Although the money raised through the ride goes to Dana Farber for cancer research, because the Institute is a global leader, cancer patients everywhere benefit, he said.
“When the book on cancer care and curing cancer is written, the PMC is going to play a very integral role in that,” he said.
To learn more about the organization and how to participate as a rider, a volunteer, or a donor, please visit pmc.org.
