How a campground led to funding for cancer research

Though the Pan-Mass Challenge zipped through Wareham in early August, the stories from those braving the roads on bikes stretch far beyond the two day event. 

Carver resident Denise McFarlane spent many summers at Maple Park with her twin sister Jen Marchetti and best friend Claire Conroy. The three completed the 186 mile bike-a-thon together for all those in their lives who have battled cancer.

"We would go to Maple Park the moment school was out until the day before school started," she said. "We met at the campground and we've been friends ever since. Claire was even in my wedding."

The Pan-Mass Challenge raises money for cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute with over 6,000 cyclists participating in 2025. Most participants are part of a team that honors a loved one lost to cancer.

McFarlane, Marchetti and Conroy were on Team Jake and rode in memory of Jake Boudreau, a young Shrewsbury native who passed away from cancer in 2010. 

Conroy was the first of the three to join the Pan-Mass Challenge a few years ago, receiving support from the sidelines by the twins. MacFarlane ended up volunteering at the Wareham stop to continue to give back to the town and people she loved.

"But then my sister decided to ride and ended up finding out she had cancer that same exact year," she said.

MacFarlane spoke of a silent list that many carry — the names of family and friends who’ve battled cancer. She said it's a list no one wants to be on, with a column no one ever wants to fill.

Yet, she has many on that silent list that led her to ride. Donning her helmet and mounting her bike with turtles at the helm, MacFarlane reunited the trio from Maple Park Campground to ride with Team Jake in 2025.

For MacFarlane, she said she is glad she is able to contribute to a cause that has helped people she knows. Although she doesn't usually stop during her ride, she makes Wareham an exception.

"You don't necessarily need the food and the rest, you need the encouragement," she said.

The former John W. Decas elementary school marks the final rest area on day one for cyclists before reaching the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and McFarlane volunteered there for a number of years.

"I am like, Wareham's biggest fan," she said. "It's kind of weird because I grew up in Easton."

MacFarlane had supporters waiting for her in the gateway town's stop and said her participation has inspired her friends to become volunteers at the Decas school in 2026.

Together, the trio raised $24,872.69 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. With their contributions, Team Jake contributed a total of $67,415.94 for the 2025 Pan-Mass Challenge.