Watch the Opening Ceremonies from 2011 PMC

If you want to see fellow cancer survivor and now veteran PMC rider Lance Armstrong speak, skip ahead to: 15:15

Watch the PMC Opening Cermonies Tonight!

On Friday, Augsut 5th at 7 pm, WCVB’s premier news magazine, Chronicle (Channel 5), produces a one-hour show, from the grounds outside the Sturbridge Host Hotel, in celebration of the PMC. Friends and families from outside Massachusetts can watch the Chronicle special as it streams live online at www.thebostonchannel.com.

This is a great way for you to learn more about the spirit and energy of the PMC and the impact it is having on the fight against cancer. Enjoy!

What The PMC Opening Ceremonies is All About

Every year, I try and get my supporters to watch the PMC Opening Ceremonies show on NECN. This year’s 30 minute live show from Sturbridge, with yours truly in attendance, was excellent. The highlight was the interview with 7-time PMCer, cancer survivor Senator John Kerry and some guy named Scott.

In the 30 minutes prior to going live with the show on NECN, there is a little pre-game show to get the PMCers revved up. PMC Founder Billy Starr leads the proceedings, throwing out lots of big numbers. There are many moving speeches, and many accolades are given. For the first time ever, I have found a video of this pre-Opening Ceremony show that I want to share with you. The best part of this 35 minute clip starts at 15:20. I just watched cancer survivor Carrie Copescella speech again, and I cried again.

Around minute 14, there is a call for all Living Proof riders to stand. You don’t see me on this video, but you better believe I was standing tall and proud. Fourteen years and counting!

I hope you enjoy this video – it shows the true PMC spirit.

Thanks to David Hellman for posting this video on Vimeo.

Have you seen Jack?

Seeing Jack is a very special part of PMC weekend. If it weren’t for the PMC, I probably would never have heard of Jack. I learned of Jack back in 2007 (you will find him on the initial screenshot of the video below and  at 41 seconds of the video)

Jack O’Riordan was 1 year old when he was diagnosed with cancer, Wilms’ Tumor (a pediatric kidney cancer).  He had a kidney removed and metastases to his lungs three months later that required him to undergo 30 months of chemotherapy and radiation at Dana-Farber before kindergarten.

After that, with his mom’s help, he would make signs to hold up at the Brewster waterstop on Sunday of the PMC.  Here are some examples of what they would say:

“Thank You Riders, I made it because of you”

“I am 4 now because of you”

“I am 5 and alive”

“I Get to Be 6 because of you”

“I am 8 now because of you”

and this year,

Team Forza-G with Jack in Brewster

As nearly half of the members of Team Forza-G took our picture next with Jack, he gave us blue wristbands, similar to the Livestrong bracelets, that said “Thank You PMC Riders, Jack”. Next year, I learned from Jack as we took our picture with him, it is going to be a little bit trickier to find Jack at the Brewster waterstop on Sunday of the PMC. For the first time in 13 years, it is likely that he won’t be standing there with his sign and taking pictures with all of the cyclists who are so inspired by him.

That is because next year, when he is 15 years old, Jack goes from PMC volunteer and inspiration to Pan Mass Challenge Living Proof Rider! Way to go Jack – can’t wait to see you on the road.

>> read more about Jack and see pics of his signs

Watch the PMC Opening Ceremonies Live

Live on NECN, Friday night, July 31st at 7pm.

I have learned that my PMC Team, Forza-G, and our newest member, Swedish cycling pro Magnus Bäckstedt, will be recognized during the live TV event.

If you cannot watch live, check back on the NECN website throughout the weekend, as they will post video clips.

PMC Night at Fenway Park 2009

As promised, here are the photos and videos from my ride this past weekend.

On Saturday, July 11, it was the annual PMC Night at Fenway Park. The Sox beat the Royals 15-9, adding to the winning tradition on PMC Night (Sox are now 6-0). Prior to the game, I had the honor, along with 29 other cancer survivors to ride their bikes on the field for the National Anthem and First Pitch Ceremonies.

Getting ready to ride
Originally uploaded by apseguin04

>> All my PMC Night at Fenway 2009 Photos

Video #1: Riding out onto the Fenway Park warning track

During this video, the 30 cyclists rode from the center field tunnel, in front of the Green Monster, and down the third base line. Sorry for the choppiness, I have never ridden my bike and tried to record video before.

Video #2: On the field for the National Anthem

Video #3: Riding off the field

During this video, we are riding back to the centerfield tunnel after the ceremony and the anthem. Sorry for the choppiness -first time ever doing this!

To be part of the 30th Pan-Mass Challenge and be one of the survivors allowed to be part of this celebration is a great blessing and honor. I hope that you will join me in trying to provide research and treatment dollars so that others can have this thrill in the years to come.

My ride this past weekend

It was truly an amazing honor. I did not tell anyone about this ahead of time other than my wife. As part of the annual PMC Night at Fenway Park, I got to ride my bike on the field as part of the pre-game festivities. I was one of the 30 survivors who took the magical ride out of the center field wall, in front of the Green Monster, and down the 3rd base line. I got to stand in front of the Royals dugout during the National Anthem and the first pitches, which were thrown by Billy Starr, PMC Founder, a 30-year rider, and a 30-year volunteer. Keep in mind, this is the 30th Pan-Mass Challenge, these three guys have been involved since the beginning. It was all just kind of amazing and surreal.

You can see me at 2 minutes, 8 seconds. I am wearing a 2007 PMC jersey and I am turning towards the right center field seats where Michele and the rest of our group were sitting. Basically, you get a quick look at the back of my head.

I took video and photos of the evening. I will post them later.

Here is the piece from NECN:

more about “Fenway Park hosts PMC Night at Boston…“, posted with vodpod

Senator Kerry – PMC Heavy Hitter!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe607hG7NDM

The senator could not attend the 2009 dinner honoring the 2008 PMC Heavy Hitters. He sent this message, introduced to the audience by Billy Starr.