Three Wareham residents will take part in the 44th Pan-Mass Challenge to raise money for cancer research over the August 5 and 6 weekend.

Over 6,000 cyclists participate in the challenge each year from around the globe.

The goal this year is to raise a record-breaking $70 million for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 

This would be the single-largest donation to the institute. It would also bring the organization’s total contribution to $970 million since 1980.

The challenge includes multiple routes over the course of two days that range from 25 to 211 miles to accommodate all levels of cycling and fundraising abilities.

Wareham’s Nichole Wade will be cycling for her 10th year in support of her son, Cody Stahmer, who was diagnosed with cancer his freshman year of college.

Wade said when taking Stahmer to his cancer treatments at Dana-Farber, she would see advertisements for the Pan-Mass Challenge.

“I always said I wanted to do it, but never had taken the plunge and then as I kept watching my son and I was trying to figure out a way to spin the negative into a positive I decided that you know what, I can do something to help rather than just dwell on what's going wrong,” she said.

Wade said biking became an emotional outlet for her.

“I felt like crying, but instead of crying, I would just take it out on the pedals on the bike, and I would just ride and ride until I just got that emotional piece of me out and then be able to come home and start all over again,” she said.

Wade will ride with a team of family and friends, including Darien Fernandez, who grew up in Wareham and is a friend of Stahmer’s, from Sturbridge to Provincetown for a total of 186 miles. 

Wareham’s Christopher and Katie Moulding will also be riding this year.

Christopher said although his wife has completed the challenge for many years, this will be his first time stepping out of the role of volunteer and onto a bike as a rider.

The couple will be riding on a tandem bike from Wellesley to Wellesley for a total of 50 miles.

“I'm a cancer survivor from Dana-Farber, so it's always been pretty important to me,” he said.

Christopher said although he has yet to complete the Pan-Mass Challenge, he has done a number of triathlons, long bike rides and marathons.

He said it will be easy for him to stay motivated because he is passionate about the cause.

Christopher added sitting through chemo and thinking of others who are or may have to undergo the same treatments has brought him to value the money raised for cancer research that may reveal alternatives to chemotherapy.

“I think having that opportunity to experience the ride as a rider, and a volunteer and living proof as a cancer survivor, I think just kind of brings it all full circle, so I'm pretty excited for the whole thing,” he said.

Riders will pass through Wareham and have the opportunity to stop at the Decas Elementary School building for a water break.

As of Wednesday, July 26, $34.4 million has been raised for the challenge. 

Those interested can support these Wareham riders by visiting the donation page of the Pan-Mass Challenge website. Wade’s minimum contribution is $6,000 and the Moulding’s each have a minimum contribution of $2,000.