After overseeing the PMC Kids Rides Program for more than a decade, Pan-Mass Challenge Director of Volunteer Operations & Kids Rides Justine Darmanian decided 2025 was the year she was going to organize her own PMC Kids Ride in her community. Darmanian, a longtime South Boston resident, and volunteers are coordinating the inaugural South Boston PMC Kids Ride this June.

The PMC Kids Rides Program is a spoke in the wheel of the Pan-Mass Challenge’s yearly fundraising campaign, featuring mini bike-a-thons throughout New England that involve children ages 2 to 15 in the PMC mission by providing them the opportunity to fight cancer just like adults. 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar goes to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for cancer research and treatment.

Each PMC Kids Ride is organized by volunteer coordinators. South Boston’s ride just happens to be run by a volunteer coordinator who also works full time at the Pan-Mass Challenge and has spent years helping others plan their rides.

“Working at the PMC as the Director of PMC Kids Rides, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful these rides can be – not just for raising funds, but for building community and showing children that they too can make a difference in the fight against cancer. I wanted to bring the PMC’s mission to my own community so I decided to start a ride in Southie,” she said.

The South Boston PMC Kids Ride is Saturday, June 7, from 8 to 11 AM, and starts at Carson Beach. Families from South Boston, Dorchester, and other neighborhoods are invited to participate. The ride is open to children ages 2 to 15; they can choose from a tot lot, 0.6-mile route, 1.4-mile route, or 3.1-mile route.

Children have a $20 registration fee, a fundraising commitment of $40, and are asked to raise money by requesting contributions from family members, friends, and neighbors.

PMC Kids Rides fundraising supports pediatric cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund, enabling kids to help kids. Since 2018, pediatric oncology has been Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s largest allocation of the PMC’s annual gift. PMC Kids Rides fundraising continues to strengthen pediatric research and care at one of the nation’s top pediatric cancer programs.

In 2024, 21 PMC Kids Rides attracted 1,475 young cyclists and 503 volunteers to raise more than $422,000 as part of the Pan-Mass Challenge’s record-breaking $75 million gift to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  The PMC, which is Dana-Farber’s largest single contributor, representing 66 percent of the Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue, has raised over $1 billion since 1980.

Register to ride, volunteer, or learn more at kids.pmc.org/southboston.

About the South Boston PMC Kids Ride

• When: Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 8 to 11 AM
• Where: Carson Beach (125 William J Day Blvd, Boston, MA 02125)
• Registration Fee: $20
• Fundraising Commitment: $40
• Fundraising Deadline: September 1, 2025
• Routes: Kids can choose from a tot lot, 0.6-mile route, 1.4-mile route, or 3.1-mile route.
• Learn More & Register: kids.pmc.org/southboston
• Contact: [email protected]