Help Support Captain Tim's 2009 Ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge toward a Cure for Cancer
corporate sponsors www.bunnyclark.com www.barnbilly.com www.chamberworks.com Welcome to my site where I attempt to make a difference for cancer patients throughout the world by dedicating some of my free time to raising money for the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC). The PMC is an 192 two day cycling event where I ride and individuals sponsor me with a donation. The donation goes directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston, Massachusetts via the Jimmy Fund. The Jimmy Fund was established in 1949. The PMC was established in 1980 and has since raised over half of the total money the Jimmy Fund has raised in donations since it's inception, a grand total of $375 million. It is the largest sum of money ever contributed to a charity by an athletic fundraising event anywhere in the world. I got involved in 2007. By the end of the sixth year of my invovlement (fiscal 2012), I had moved a total of $151,446.37 in donations on to the Jimmy Fund. Many donations come from the same individuals who give to my cancer drive year after year. But there are many new contributors as well. In 2013, my goal is to raise over $20,000.00 as soon as I can and then add to that total. To do this I desperately need your help.

The reasons to donate are many. But there are a few salient reasons to continue to do so. First, the DFCI is good at what they do, one of the top four cancer research & care facilities in the country. Second, one hundred percent of your donation goes right to the source, the cost of running the PMC (about $4 million) underwritten by businesses around Boston. Third, it's in our back yard. Fourth, the innovative work they do spills into other facilities and other areas of medicine making it better for everyone. Fifth, you can deduct your donation when filing your tax returns. Sixth, the more money the DFCI receives, the better able they are to hire the best people (researchers) to do the job. This will continue to make them the best to support. Thank you all so much for supporting me in this wonderful event. It's the event of a life saved for those people with the disease. And cancer won't go away unless someone gets involved. I am just one of the many who believe in this event.

The event has many rides. Mine, the longest of the few available, starts in Sturbridge at 5:30 AM sharp on Saturday, August 3, 2013 and ends, on the first day, 111 miles away at Bourne, Massachusetts at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (where we will be spending the night). The second day starts at 6:00 AM (or earlier - depending on the rider) on August 4, 2013 and ends, 81 miles away, in Provincetown, Massachusetts. I have a ticket for the slow ferry that leaves Provincetown at 3:00 PM and arrives in Boston, Massachusetts sometime before sunset. Once in Boston, I will get my truck and head home.

I am sixty years old, a wannabee triathlete, a life long endurance athlete and an avid deep sea party boat fisherman/captain/owner who loves his life, family, his father's restaurant business in Perkins Cove (Barnacle Billy's, Inc.) and the United States of America. I chose the PMC as my first pick for a fund raiser because of the cycling but also because I wanted to be a part of the largest one event sports related fund raising drive for cancer in the world. But, like a good ship, I need a good crew of donors to help me make this something special. And, if you know me, I don't do anything half baked once I make a decision to do something. I am asking for your help in contributions to make this sixth try a better fund raiser than the first five.

Also, keep in mind, that the amount donated is not the most important thing as the number of donors is also very important indeed. I don't care how large or small the donation is as every bit of money will help cancer victims in some way. If you, as a donor, want to make your contribution anonymous, write this as a note with your check and it will be so. Otherwise, donors and donations will appear below. This list will be edited as soon as I am able with your contribution added in order of the date on the check. Thank you in advance.

pan-massachusetts challenge website: www.pmc.org

corporate sponsors

The digital image above was taken by a random cyclist (with my camera) on August 7, 2010 at the first rest stop along the route leaving Sturbridge, Massachusetts to Bourne, Massachusetts. This rest stop is twenty-five miles into a ride that extends one hundred and eleven miles. When I first rode in I noticed a sign that said; "Go Fish". The Johnson family, good fishing customers on the Bunny Clark and good friends, were holding this sign. I had to have a picture including myself, the bike and my friends. From left to right are yours truly, Lisa Johnson, Don Johnson (sporting the 2010 Bunny Clark/PMC t-shirt) and their daughter, Bethanie Johnson. This is great support for me and a wonderful memory.

Tim Tower cycling the 14 mile trek to meet up with the 40 mile "A ride" hosted by the Maine Coast Cycling Club, Sunday in July 2008. I try to get in 70 to 80 miles every Sunday in preparation for the PMC. © Don Sayward Photography



© Don Sayward Photography

Tim Tower as seen during the running leg of the West Kennebunk Fire Company Triathlon on Aug 26, 2006. © EJS Photography
© EJS Photography

Tim Tower as seen during swim/bike transition during the West Kennebunk Fire Company Triathlon on Aug 26, 2006. After the swim, the bike is taken (running) with the shoes already clipped in. In this image, Tim has already mounted the bike (which is moving at 10 mph), the right foot is in and he is in the process of getting the left foot in the shoe. © EJS Photography
© EJS Photography

A shot of me (Tim Tower) in transition after the ocean swimming leg of West Kennebunk Fireman Triathlon sprint (the swim was a third of a mile) on August 26, 2007. © Capstone Photography
© Capstone Photography (www.capstonephoto.com)

Tim Tower winter training for the PMC, February 2007. © Halley A. H. Tower Photograph
© Halley A. H. Tower Photograph

Tim Tower (background w/ red racing sweater & white helmet) with his friend, Breeze Keller (foreground w/ red racing sweater & white helmet), Maine's U-23 cycling champion, waiting for the start of the annual Great Osprey Bike Challenge on Nov. 5, 2004, a twenty-seven mile cycling race in Freeport, Maine. © Chuck MacDonald Image
© Chuck MacDonald Image

The disk wheel is my friend! © EJS Photography
© EJS Photography

Tim Tower (red racing sweater & white helmet) waiting for the start of the annual Great Osprey Bike Challenge on Nov. 5, 2004. The air temperature was 26°F at the time. © Chuck MacDonald Image
© Chuck MacDonald Image

Trying to eat up the road the best I can. © EJS Photography
© EJS Photography

After the finish line at the Great Osprey Bike Challenge on Nov. 5, 2004. © EJS Photography
© Chuck MacDonald Image

Assaulting the top of the big dirt hill with the pack following during the Great Osprey Bike Challenge on Nov. 5, 2004. © Chuck MacDonald Image
© Chuck MacDonald Image

Passing and breaking away from a fellow triathlete in the bike leg during the West Kennebunk Fireman (Olympic length) Triathlon on June 17, 2007. © Capstone Photography
© Capstone Photography (www.capstonephoto.com)

Another picture taken shortly after the previous shot during the West Kennebunk Fireman (Olympic length) Triathlon on June 17, 2007. © Capstone Photography
© Capstone Photography (www.capstonephoto.com)

The BC/PMC-'07 new addition to the Bunny Clark t-shirt arsenal. At $15.00 per, one-hundred percent of the proceeds go to the Pan-Mass. Challenge/Jimmy Fund. Handsome devil as a model, hey? © Halley A. H. Tower Photograph
© Halley A. H. Tower Photograph

One of my best friends and fellow PMC rider, Paul Haseltine (left) and myself at Sturbridge, Massachusetts during dinner on the eve of the 2007 PMC ride, Friday, August 3, 2007. Notice the Fish Tunes T-shirt - well before it was publically known that The Wildlife Refugees would produce such an astounding collection of original music about fishing. © PMC Photo
© PMC Photo

I definitely hurt the most after the swim in a triathlon event. At this moment, I am thinking to myself; why the hell I am subjecting myself to this torture! © Capstone Photography
© Capstone Photography (www.capstonephoto.com)

A shot taken at 4:30 AM, August 1, 2009 at the Sturbridge, Massachusetts starting line putting the bikes in position before the beginning of the ride. The digital image shows me (Tim Tower) on the right and my best friend and cycling mate, Paul Hesaltine, on the left. At this time I never would have thought that six hours later I would be lying on the ground unconscious from a bike crash. ©
© PMC Photo

Sitting on a hospital gurney in the emergency room at Tobey Hospital in Wareham, Massachusetts after I tapped the wheel of the rider ahead of me and went down on the pavement. The crash happened ten miles from the finish of the first day at the 2009 PMC while sitting in, riding with a group of fifteen cyclists. The quick response of the emergency crew had an EMT standing over me within a minute, the ambulance another five minutes. I was rendered unconscious during the crash but the CAT scan results at Tobey came out negative. Such are the dangers when riding with others on a bicycle. The crash was totally my fault but, except for a slightly separated shoulder and a cut over my eye (that required a few stitches), all my injuries were in the "road rash" category. ©
© Paul Haseltine Photo

A shot taken on the "slow ferry" from Provincetown, Massachusetts to Boston, Massachusetts on August 2, 2009. I can be seen toasting the end of an event, the last day (ride) of which I was denied on the bike because of the head trauma I sustained after the crash the first day. In the picture I am enjoying my favorite anesthetic, a rum & Coke, happy to be standing vertically on my own and proudly displaying the war wounds I received the day before. I realize that this is nothing compared to what kids with cancer go through on a daily basis. And, yes, cycling is a little more dangerous than running. ©
© PMC Photo

Another look at the idiot who was too complacent while riding the last leg of the first day. I posted this picture to remind myself (and others) to pay attention when riding and observe standard riding protocol. ©
© PMC Photo

A picture of Hez (left) and I just before the start of the 2010 Pan-Mass Challenge. This picture was taken at 4:30 AM in front of the Host Hotel in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Hez was the one who got me involved with the PMC after he did the ride for the first time in 2006. We have been doing the ride together ever since. A month before this picture was taken, Hez was diagnosed with prostate cancer giving us more incentive to continue with the fund raising efforts - as if we needed more incentive. Still, when it strikes so close to home, one can't help but realize how important it is to have good friends and keep them. ©
© Steve LaPlante Photo

make a donation
In order to make a donation, make a check out to Pan-Massachusetts Challenge/Jimmy Fund and send it to me, Tim Tower (PMC), at P.O. Box 837, Ogunquit, Maine 03907. Or you can make a donation electronically with your credit card by going to www.pmc.org, go to red rectangular button at the upper right hand part of the page that says: "Donate", click on that button. A new page will open. In the first (only) box where it says type in the name or ID (of the rider), type in my name (Tim Tower). Hit the "enter" key. Two more boxes will open up and my name will disappear from the box you typed it in. Instead, my name will appear to the left of the first new box that comes up. Type in the amount adjacent to my name and click on the "Continue" button. Follow the instructions from there. You will need a viable credit card number. For more information, contact Tim:
207-646-2214
ttower@bunnyclark.com
DATE of CHECK DONOR ORGANIZATION STATE DONATION
1.) 01-01-13 Rick & Tara Rendon Personal MA $100
2.) 01-18-13 Ray Westermann In Memory of Ray's Sister, Debbie Ziegler and Ray's Best Ever Fishing Buddy, Raymond F. Westermann, Sr. MA $100
3.) 01-27-13 Margaret A. Tower Very Personal ME $1000
4.) 02-15-13 Dave & Joanne Miller Personal MA $100
5.) 02-19-13 Tom Bruyere & Andrew Bruyere Personal NY $500
6.) 02-21-13 Edda & "Sandy" Martin In Loving Memory of Phyillis H. Yanchewski MA $25
7.) 02-21-13 John S. Henke Personal NY $100
8.) 02-22-13 Paul A. Kostopoulos, CPA Personal CT $250
9.) 02-23-13 Cameron W. Brandt Personal MA $50
10.) 04-02-13 Craig Yerxa Personal ME $25
11.) 04-04-13 Peter Mourmouras Saco Bay Tackle Company ME $50
12.) 04-08-13 Dennis Boisvert Personal NH $45
13.) 04-08-13 Celinar Peréz Personal NY $20
14.) 04-08-13 John Baker Personal ME $20
15.) 04-08-13 Steve P. Sharpe Personal NH $20
16.) 04-08-13 Ron Van Baaren Personal NY $20
17.) 04-09-13 Steven & Stacy Shugars Personal ME $100
18.) 04-11-13 Dawn Beckwith Personal - "egift" ME $100
19.) 04-14-13 Buzz Leonard Personal ME $60
20.) 04-14-13 John Russell Personal ME $55
21.) 04-14-13 Ray Washburn Personal VT $50
22.) 04-17-13 Trever Johnson Personal MA $50
23.) 04-17-13 Tony Grotton Personal ME $10
24.) 04-17-13 John Baron Personal MA $20
25.) 04-17-13 Mark & Maureen LaRocca Personal NY $250
26.) 04-17-13 Anonymous Personal ? $10
27.) 04-18-13 Steve Murphy Personal MA $20
27.) 04-19-13 Bob Pedro Personal CT $20
28.) 04-19-13 Pat Allen Personal CT $20
29.) 04-19-13 Richard O'Connor Personal - "egift" MA $100
30.) 04-21-13 Joe LaBombard Personal NH $40
31.) 04-21-13 Jim A. Hall Personal ME $20
32.) 04-21-13 Ray Washburn Personal VT $50
33.) 04-21-13 David & Rebecca Symes Personal ME $50
34.) 04-23-13 Courtland C. Tower Personal ME $20
35.) 04-23-13 Bunny C. Tower Personal ME $50
36.) 04-23-13 Dan Potyrala Personal MA $25
37.) 04-23-13 Norman Herrick Personal MA $50
38.) 04-24-13 Rick Turner Personal NY $25
39.) 04-24-13 Paul Smegal Personal MA $20
40.) 04-24-13 Ray Westermann Personal MA $60
41.) 04-24-13 Fred Ostrander Personal MA $20
42.) 04-24-13 Rick Gelaznik Personal MA $20
43.) 04-24-13 Dennis Piper Personal VT $20
44.) 04-26-13 Gloria Gennari Personal MA $50
45.) 04-26-13 Barry Juhasz Personal CT $20
46.) 04-26-13 John Truskowski Personal MA $20
47.) 04-26-13 Sean McMahon Personal MA $20
48.) 04-26-13 George Sweet Personal MA $40
49.) 04-27-13 Richard & Elinor Payeur Personal FL $200
50.) 04-27-13 Rich Fifield Personal VT $20
51.) 04-27-13 Asa Porter Personal VT $20
52.) 04-30-13 John Davis Personal NY $10
53.) 04-30-13 Dan Payne Personal ME $50
54.) 04-30-13 Rick Ellenwood Personal NY $20
55.) 04-30-13 Matt Steves Personal NY $30
56.) 04-30-13 Adam Casey Personal NY $25
57.) 04-30-13 Bernie Gage Bernie Gage P & H, Inc. VT $50
58.) 05-01-13 Chris Porter Christopher R. Porter Builders, Inc. MA $1000
59.) 05-01-13 Fred Kunz Personal NH $5
60.) 05-01-13 Don Stancil Personal PA $50
61.) 05-01-13 Carlos Shacar Personal MA $25
62.) 05-01-13 Jim & Stephen Feeney Personal MA $30
63.) 05-03-13 Rob Lawrence Personal NY $30
64.) 05-03-13 Ted Harris Personal PA $50
65.) 05-03-13 Don Stancil Personal PA $50
66.) 05-03-13 Tom Edick Personal NY $65
67.) 05-03-13 Mark Coleman Personal NY $25
68.) 05-03-13 Art Buchanan Personal PA $20
69.) 05-06-13 Tim Stinson Personal VT $25
70.) 05-07-13 Ed Floyd Personal VT $30
71.) 05-08-13 George Smart Personal NY $22
72.) 05-08-13 Rob Bentley Personal ME $20
73.) 05-09-13 Mark Girard Personal CA $60
74.) 05-10-13 Doug Rogers Personal NJ $25
75.) 05-10-13 Liam Kennedy Personal NJ $20
76.) 05-10-13 Fred Frabel Personal NJ $25
77.) 05-13-13 Don & Shirley Spencer Personal VT $50
78.) 05-14-13 Dody & Nikki Bleau Personal VT $50
79.) 05-14-13 Ron Krause Personal MA $20
80.) 05-14-13 Ron Krause Personal MA $20
80.) 05-16-13 Jim Millovitsch Personal CT $40
81.) 05-16-13 Mike Kalwara Personal CT $20
82.) 05-16-13 Dan Bingell Personal MA $20
83.) 05-16-13 Brett Marsh Personal CT $100
84.) 05-17-13 Vince DeBari Personal NJ $40
05-18-13 >>>>>>> Total so far >>>>>>> $6,282
CORPORATE SPONSORS: Bunny Clark, Corp., Barnacle Billy’s, Inc. and Chamberworks - Excellent web page design!
For more information, please contact Tim at 207-646-2214 or email ttower@bunnyclark.com


corporate sponsors

The picture above was taken at the Brewster, Massachusetts water stop more than half way to our destination (Provincetown, Massachusetts). It was taken on August 5, 2012. The picture shows Paul "Hez" Haseltine (left) and me (Tim Tower) posing for a shot with our full cycling kits. The first day of the event, everyone wears the full cycling kit of the Pan-Mass Challenge. The second day, this day, everyone is supposed to wear the kit of the team or cycling club you represent. My club is the Maine Coast Cycling Club (a rendition of our boat, Bunny Clark, can be seen where a left breast pocket could be on the front of my racing jersey in the picture). Hez represents "The Path to a Cure", a cycling team who's members donate all the money they raise to the pediatric cancer wing at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. I was asked to be a part of this team but I prefer to put the money I raise into the general fund or for research. Hez is my best friend and a cancer survivor himself. He has ridden the PMC seven times and with me in the six straight years that I have ridden the event.

corporate sponsors

Go Fish!