Pedaling for Payson Raises Over $140,000 to Support Cancer Patients

Pedaling for Payson Raises Over $140,000 to Support Cancer Patients

Concord Hospital Trust's 21st annual Pedaling for Payson brought 201 cyclists together on September 19 at Elm Brook Park in Hopkinton, raising more than $140,000 to support patients and families receiving care at Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care.

Presented by Concord Orthopaedics, the annual event offered road, mountain, and gravel rides for cyclists of varying abilities, along with a family-friendly short course. Riders returned to Elm Brook Park following their routes to celebrate together with food and beverages.

Proceeds from Pedaling for Payson benefit the Pedaling for HOPE Fund, which largely supports the Nurse Navigator Program at Payson Center for Cancer Care. Nurse Navigators help patients and families manage the many clinical and practical challenges that can accompany a cancer diagnosis, including coordinating treatment and connecting patients with available resources.

"For more than two decades, I've had the privilege of watching Pedaling for Payson grow while the reason behind it has remained remarkably consistent: people want to help their neighbors facing cancer," said Concord Hospital Trust's Director of Philanthropy, Deanne Pelletier, who has helped coordinate the event since its beginning. "Every rider, donor, sponsor and volunteer contributes to a network of support that patients can feel when they need it most. Seeing that commitment continue year after year is incredibly meaningful."

Pedaling for Payson began more than 20 years ago as Pedaling for Pennies and has since raised more than $1 million for Payson Center for Cancer Care. Since 2017, annual proceeds have supported the Pedaling for HOPE Fund and Nurse Navigation.

This year, Doug Ewing, Kenneth Traum, and Caitlin Roberts led individual fundraising efforts, while Team HOPE raised $5,457. Fit4acause was the event's largest team with 14 members.

"Twenty-one years of Pedaling for Payson represents thousands of individual decisions to show up for someone else," said Concord Hospital Trust's Director of Development, Kimber Carr. "Some people ride because cancer has touched their own family. Others participate to honor or remember someone important to them, and many simply want to make sure patients in our community have the support they deserve. Whatever brings someone to the starting line, all of that energy comes together for one purpose."

Pedaling for Payson also relies on volunteers and community partners who help coordinate routes, registration, rider support, and the post-ride celebration.

"After all these years, one of my favorite parts of the event is still seeing everyone return to the park after their rides," Pelletier added."There's such a strong sense of community because people know the miles they just traveled translate into meaningful support for patients. That is what has kept Pedaling for Payson going for more than two decades, and it's what continues to make this event so special."

Concord Hospital Trust extends its heartfelt gratitude to its Benefactors Circle members, Presenting Sponsor Concord Orthopaedics, event sponsors, donors, volunteers, community partners, and participants. For a full list of sponsors, visit https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/Sponsors/NH/Hopkinton/PedalingforPayson.