More than 137 Patriots Platelet Pedalers and their friends and family flexed their muscles in the fight against cancer and celebrated another amazing year at the 3rd Annual Wrap Up & Check Presentation Brunch at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 7. Earlier this year the Patriots Platelet Pedalers joined 5,200 other riders to compete in the 2010 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge over two days and almost 200 miles to raise funds to fight cancer.
"It has been another amazing year for these riders, we are very proud of their determination and commitment during this challenging race. The Patriots Charitable Foundation is glad to partner with PPP yet again and we are thankful to everyone including co-captains Barnet Kessel and Gary Brodsky for the hard work they put into fundraising to raise this year's record breaking funds, more than $800,000, for the important work that Dr. Anderson does for cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute," New England Patriots Charitable Foundation President Josh Kraft said. "Today's brunch is a display of the dedication these cyclists and NEPCF have to fighting cancer and raising awareness."
Born as the Platelet Peddlers in 1997, 2010 marks the team's 14th consecutive year riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge. Three years ago, the team partnered with the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation to become the Patriots Platelet Pedalers. Together they have raised more than $2,219,804 to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
During the brunch, PPP co-captains Brodsky and Kessel reflected on the race and presented awards to members of the team, including the Rookie of the Year award to rider Tim Kelley, who raised $16,260; Recruiter of the Year Yolanda Mazzoni, who recruited seven new teammates; and the Todd L Shostek Memorial MVP Award to Mickey Rooney, who marked his 25th PMC and has pedaled with the Platelet Pedalers for 14 years, personally raising more than $150,000 this year.
Kraft welcomed the athletes and their guests while Dr. Ken Anderson, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute spoke about the great importance and impact the team's efforts have had on his cancer research. Following the program, Kraft joined the entire PPP team in presenting a check to Anderson for $813,480 from this year's efforts. The team then enjoyed a commemorative photo slide show, a tour of the stadium and a visit at The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon.
With 137 members, the Pedalers are one of the largest teams in the Pan-Mass Challenge and raisied the second most funds in 2010.
During the 2010 football season, the Patriots Charitable Foundation announced a season-long campaign to 'Kick Cancer,' an initiative to increase cancer awareness among Patriots fans. For more information about the Kick Cancer initiative, including resources and information about cancer prevention and screening, or to learn more about the Patriots Platelet Pedalers and how to join the team, visit www.patriots.com/community.
