This weekend, five Cranston women will be taking part in this year’s reimagined Pan-Mass Challenge to help raise funds for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

The PMC 2020 Reimagined will be a virtual event starting on Friday and running through Saturday, with over 10,000 locals riding to show their support and raise money. There are 12 courses ranging from 25 to 192 miles for riders to complete, and the participants will be able to honor loved ones who are or have battled cancer. Nearly 1,000 riders are cancer survivors themselves.

The five Cranstonians include Linda Burrows, Karen Laurie, Natalina Earls, Selene Byron and Marybeth Corrente-Mountain.

“I ride for my friend battling bravely against cancer and the hopes that Dana Farber finds a cure. I also ride to honor my mom who, thank God, is still with us after we almost lost her to cancer when I was in high school,” said Earls. “I also ride for the community and the physical challenge. We train together, support each other, and have tons of good times along the way. I did the full ride from Sturbridge to P-town two years ago and it was the most gratifying experience I’ve had in my long career of various types of races. They really keep you connected to the cause. While I’m disappointed to not be gathering together for the ride, as they say, cancer didn’t take the year off for COVID. So we raise the money and ride the ride and our community remains strong.”

Laurie will be riding her third PMC with Team Lanzoni.

“I ride with team Lanzoni. Team Lanzoni is sponsored by the 99 restaurant group ... a really passionate company about giving back particularly to Dana Farber. This will be a different year like so many other things. I will miss the excitement at the starting area, the energy is amazing and contagious. I am mindful of the ultimate goal and why we ride and that is what will get us all out and doing our own rides,” Laurie said.

Laurie is also happy to have an opportunity to honor those close to her who have or are battling cancer.

“I ride the PMC as I am acutely aware of what cancer does to both patient and family. As a healthcare professional I see it every day. My aunt passed away early in life from breast cancer, my uncle from lymphoma and we have countless co-workers dealing with breast cancer and other cancers. Most of all I ride for my niece, Victoria Beck. At 4 years old she was diagnosed with leukemia and battled most of her young life dealing with the treatment and effects. Without research and new therapies she wouldn't be the beautiful young woman she is today. So this little bit I can do is the least I can do,” said Laurie.

Burrows is a 19-year breast cancer survivor and is now battling Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, a rare lymphoma. She is excited to have her son ride with her this year as she completes her second PMC.

“I will miss the excitement that defined last year's event for me. The folks along the route who offered up encouragement . . . it was a real love-fest. However, my son Sean is coming from Maryland to ride the 50 miles with me. He brings an esprit de corps that makes up for the lack of encouragement from any bystanders. This is my second year as a "Living Proof" PMC rider. I receive my care at Dana Farber. I am so pleased to be a part of the remarkable mission at Dana Farber both as a study participant and as a fundraiser,” said Burrows.