Rider Motivated By Cancer Battle, Father's Death Prepares For 5th PMC

BOSTON (CBS) - It's almost here. Thousands of riders are looking forward to the Pan Mass Challenge. The charity bike ride raises millions of dollars for lifesaving cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and for almost all the riders, the PMC is personal.

Chris Ryan of Boston will ride in his 5th PMC this year, motivated at first by his own experience. "July 2010 I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. It was absolutely one of the most scary and devastating things you can hear," he says.

But doctors caught it early and surgery was all he needed. Now he's monitored by doctors at Dana Farber. "I said look, I'm fortunate, I'm healthy and I want to do something about this," he says.

So in 2012 Chris took the Pan Mass plunge and was touched when his father, Michael Ryan, decided to train and join his son for the PMC. "It meant a lot to both of us, and I remember riding with him the second day and he was just saying how happy he was he did this," Chris says.

But things changed just six months later. "He had lung cancer that had metastasized and it was in his bones," Chris says.

Michael Ryan died just a few weeks before Chris' 2nd PMC. "It was not easy, but it's been my motivation. I'll ask him for a little extra help or inspiration or energy if I'm getting tired," says Chris.

Now Chris wears his dad's PMC wristband during his ride. "I do feel his presence when I'm out there, and I know that he would be happy to see me continuing," he says.

Chris is part of Team Shawmut and together they've raised nearly half a million dollars to fund the research of Chris' doctor at Dana Farber, Christopher Sweeney, who is also on the team. "It's great. You get out there and you can feel the energy. Progress has been made and can continue to be made and the PMC goes a really long way towards doing that. I know I'm not quite gifted and talented enough to do the research so if I can raise the funds, in some small way it's meaningful," he says.

WBZ is proud to be your official PMC station. We hope you'll join us Friday night, Aug 5 at 7pm for the opening ceremonies live from Sturbridge.

For more information or to donate visit: Team Shawmut | Chris Ryan