Four Lexington Residents Helped Raise Funds Through the Pan-Mass Challenge

September 1, 2026

EDITOR’S NOTE: Each year, the Lexington Times speaks with riders involved with this amazing fundraising effort and each year, the human stories, the family stories, the stories of love and loss do not fail to inspire us to see the good in people, the wonder in science, the depths of human empathy, endurance and resilience and the absolute healing power of connection. We are all facing challenges in our lives and challenges living in this world that is evolving around us. Most of us have been touched by cancer; many of us or our loved ones have benefited from the work undertaken by Dana Farber. In the Pan-Mass Challenge participants, we witness the goodness of people when they join together. This one simple, enduring program has returned so much to each participant and society at large. The donation window is still open. In these days of reduced public support for science and research, it is more important than ever to give if you can. Congratulations to all who took part this year.

T he Pan-Mass Challenge, a Massachusetts bike-a-thon that raises money for cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, took place on August 1st and 2nd, and 58 Lexington residents participated.

Lexington Times had a opportunity to catch up with four of them before their ride: Marvin Getman, Sharon Kamowitz, James Cavallo, and Laura Andriolo They were all in the midst of training and excited for the ride!

Marvin Getman and his wife, Sharon Kamowitz. COURTESY PHOTO

Marvin Getman and his wife, Sharon Kamowitz, have been riding the PMC for 14 years, as they started in 2013. The duo formed Team Sunshine so that they could share their fundraising efforts and spread a little sunshine along the way. Although they are a two-person team they have raised $278,000 since 2013.

Getman’s late wife, Carol, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Kamowitz’s late husband, David, was diagnosed with leukemia. According to Getman, Carol learned she had breast cancer in 1979, shortly after her sister’s breast cancer diagnosis. She underwent a lumpectomy and radiation, only to have a new incidence of breast cancer appear 10 years later. She passed away in May of 1990.

David was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in July 1987 and underwent a year of intensive treatment. While being treated as an inpatient at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in August 1987, he saw a news story about the PMC and vowed to ride in future years. Tragically, he relapsed in November 1988 and died from complications of a bone marrow transplant in September 1989.

“After years of contributing to other people’s rides, and learning of other family members’ diagnoses, we decided to get on our bikes and ride the PMC,” Getman said.

Getman and Kamowitz’s daughter, Emily, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the fall of 2020 during the pandemic. She learned that she had inherited the BRCA gene from her mother and underwent months of chemotherapy. Three years later, in 2023, the cancer recurred, and she completed a second course of chemotherapy and participated in a clinical study. She is now happy living an active life with her husband and twin boys while working full-time.

They participated in the 85-mile route from Wellesley to Bourne on Saturday, August 1st. They hope “for a future in which our grandchildren do not have to fear cancer. We are not medical professionals or scientists, but getting on our bikes and fundraising allows us to do our small part to fund research and support patient care, knowing that 100% of the money we raise for the PMC goes directly to Dana Farber.”

Marvin Getman and his wife, Sharon Kamowitz with daughter Emily. COURTESY PHOTO

This year marks 9 years riding the PMC for Jim Cavallo, 28-year Lexington resident, who is honoring his late son Nate who lost his life to cancer 10 years ago. “I am motivated by those who live with cancer every day, either because they are personally fighting the disease or they are supporting a loved one who is,” Cavallo said. “They show us how to live in the face of enormous obstacles and remind us how lucky we are to participate in an event like this.”

Cavallo’s son, Nate, was remarkably healthy and almost never sick in the 11 years prior to his diagnosis. One Saturday night in June, he came inside after playing hard outdoors and coughed up blood. After seeing more of it, they decided to bring him to the ER that night. One thing led to another, and within a few days, they were talking with teams of doctors at Boston Children’s and Dana Farber about removing a large tumor in his lung.

The initial surgery was long but went well; further tests revealed that Nate’s cancer had spread. It could not be identified precisely, but his cancer most closely resembled Ewing Sarcoma, a cancer that starts in the bones or soft tissue surrounding the bones and most often affects adolescents.

Nate’s treatment plan was aggressive for the next three and a half years; he experienced many ups and downs. Unfortunately, Nate passed away in December 2015. Through it all, Nate was incredibly brave in the face of difficult circumstances. Nate loved life and had a way of touching those he came in contact with. He loved large family holidays, exploring nature, long sunny days at the beach, his dog Toby, writing poetry, skateboarding, 80’s music, and so many other things. Most of all, he loved and worshipped his mother.

Cavallo will be riding the two-day route from Wellesley to Provincetown, a total of 162 miles with his wife Nicole, daughter Alexis, son Bennett, nephew Alex, and friends.

The team’s goal is to raise $75,000. “We are fortunate to have many generous supporters, and we receive gifts of all sizes,” Cavallo said. “The biggest reward is the opportunity to honor my son’s memory and to share that experience with my wife and two other children. We miss our son tremendously, even after 10 years. It feels good for him to be a prominent part of our weekend.”

For Laura Andriolo, a Lexington resident of 34 years, this year will mark her 6th year riding for the PMC. She rides year after year because has had people come up to her directly and say that the fundraising she did directly saved their lives.

Andriolo also loves to ride her bike and loves the sense of freedom she gets while riding, even as a child. She noted, “So if I can ride my bike and help people live a long, healthy, happy life, then that’s very fulfilling to me.” Even though this will be Andriolo’s sixth year riding, she says no two years are ever the same. It is highly motivating, highly emotional, and she says the camaraderie is “off the charts.”

Andriolo is part of the team Crank with 61 riders, which originated in Acton. They were very lucky to be able to present a check to Dana Farber last year, $1.5 million, and they got a match from the Warren Alpert Foundation. This year, Andriolo will be riding the Wellesley 50-mile loop because of time constraints with training, but she has done more in past years. Her individual fundraising goal is $10,000. For her, each year presents a different emotional experiences, but it’s always “extremely uplifting.”

Donations can be made up until October 1, 2026. Please see the links to read their “Why I Ride” statements and donate
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