YORK - On August 2 and 3, four residents from York will ride in the 29th Annual Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, the nation's pioneer charity bike-a-thon that raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country.

They will be among the more than 5,500 cyclists who will ride with the collective goal of raising $34 million for lifesaving cancer research and treatment for adult and pediatric cancer patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.

Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) riders are between 15 and 85 years of age and of different athletic abilities. Many riders are seasoned cyclists or tri-athletes, while others are PMC weekend warriors, having trained for this event alone, are driven to raise money for cancer research. Additionally, nearly 300 cancer survivors will ride to give back and give thanks for being given a second chance.

To make a donation to a rider, visit www.pmc.org and enter the rider's "egift" identification number. Riders from York, along with their identification numbers, include Becky Davie, BD0119; Ann Kendall, AK0066; Fern Phillips, FP0022, and Dede Cadieux, DC0173.

"Cancer has made an impact on nearly everyone," explained PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr. "The PMC offers an opportunity to fight back and make a difference in the battle against this devastating disease."

According to information provided by PMC, no other athletic event contributes more money to charity than the PMC. Since 1980, the PMC has raised more than $204 million for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. Last year, the PMC gave 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the Jimmy Fund, a rate of fundraising that is nearly unequaled within the more than $1 billion athletic fundraising event industry.

The PMC generates more than 50 percent of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue and is Dana-Farber's largest single contributor.

The PMC is sponsored by the Boston Red Sox and Overstock.com. For more information, visit http://www.pmc.org/ or call (800) WE-CYCLE.