Barile rides in Pan Mass Challenge bike-a-thon for cancer research
Published on August 6th, 2008
STONEHAM, MA - Kevin Barile took part in the 29th annual Pan Mass Challenge, a bike-a-thon that crossed the Commonwealth of Massachusetts last Saturday.
Barile graduated from Woburn High School with the class of 1997 and currently works for his family business at the Barile Funeral Home in Stoneham, and the Joseph Doherty Barile Family Funeral Home in Reading.
Since 1980, the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge has raised over $204 million for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.
Barile, 28, rode in his first PMC ride and has raised approximately $4500 for the charity.
Cancer has unfortunately taken the lives of many of Bariles’ relatives as his great grandfather passed away from the disease at age 42, his grandfathers at age 54 and age 83, and his uncle at age 55.
His father, Ralph Barile, is 57 years old and is currently the longest living man in his family and is cancer free.
His mother, Luanne, was diagnosed with cancer at age 20 and after many treatments and tests she survived and has now been cancer free for over 35 years.
Along with his mother, two of his cousins were also diagnosed with cancer and are now cancer free.
Barile said he wanted to become involved in the PMC after watching it on television last year and realizing how important the event was in raising money for cancer research.
“I was sitting on the couch last summer and saw the highlights from the Pan Mass Challenge,” said Barile. “I looked at my wife (Meg) and I said to her that my mother is a cancer survivor and I can't believe that I have never done anything like this before.
“I told (Meg) that in 2008 I will complete that ride in honor of my mother and everyone else who has beaten cancer or lost loved ones to cancer. When the registration started I looked at Meg and said it’s time to put my money where my mouth is.”
Barile, who grew up in Woburn and is a 1997 Woburn High School and a 2001 UMass Lowell graduate, participated in the one day 84 mile ride from Babson College in Wellesley to the finish line at Mass Maritime Academy in Bourne.
Riders had the option of choosing to be a one day rider or a two day rider when they registered for the PMC, and there are a total of eight different mileage rides the participants can cycle in.
Two day riders started last Saturday and they cycled in either the 192 mile ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown, the 180 mile ride from Sturbridge to Wellesley, the 163 mile ride from Wellesley to Provincetown or the 153 mile ride from Wellesley to Wellesley.
One day riders on Saturday cycled 111 miles from Sturbridge to Bourne or 84 miles from Wellesley to Bourne.
One day riders on Sunday rode 47 miles from Wellesley to Wellesley or 68 miles from Bourne to Wellesley.
Barile, who competed in soccer and track during high school and who was also on the UMass Lowell soccer team, trained for the event by cycling as much as he could on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year.
“I trained on the weekends with my other two friends,” said Barile. “We usually did rides that consisted of anywhere between 20 to 60 miles depending on prior commitments.”
Barile along with his wife’s cousin, Will Furlow, age 23, and one of his best friends Dave Laing, 28, started the race at 7 a.m. in Wellesley. Barile said a factor that allows him to keep is energy up is eating foods with carbohydrates while cycling.
“I eat eggs for protein and a lot of bread for carbs (prior to a race),” said Barile. “Energy is a key to completing the course, and I consistently eat while I ride to keep my energy levels up.”
“The best thing after the ride was seeing my mother and father,” said Barile. “My mother is living proof for over 30 years. It is people like my mother that give me the inspiration to do this. Both of my parents are my main reasons for riding.”
What Barile has enjoyed the most since becoming involved in the PMC is the letters and donations people have sent him.
“The people that have written and donated to me gave me the most motivation,” said Barile. “I have learned about other peoples’ personal losses and successes with cancer. I have also learned that cancer survivors are fearless, and I am striving to be the same.”
All in all, Barile said that he was very proud to be part of the PMC and getting the opportunity to ride in the charity race..
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