If ever an individual thinks there is nothing one person can do to make a difference, they should meet Billy Starr. In the late 1970's, Billy lost his mother, uncle, and a cousin to cancer. Part of an athletic family, Billy wanted to create a sporting event that would help raise money for cancer research. The Pan Mass Challenge has grown from only 36 cyclists in 1980 to become the largest per capita bike-a-thon in the world, an annual event that now attracts 2000 cyclists who pedal over 200 miles across Massachusetts in just 2 days. To date, participants have raised 21.3 million dollars that directly funds research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Jimmy Fund.
