Readers may remember that Cornwall-on-Hudson’s Jim Lawless, 76, competed in the Pan-Mass Challenge, a bike-a-thon across the state of Massachusetts (from Worchester to Provincetown) which featured more than 6000 bicyclists raising money for cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It took place on August 1 and 2.

Lawless was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia at age 55 in November 2005, and credits Dana-Farber with his continued good health. He proudly reports that he finished the race – riding 177 miles (my GPS said 180 – I took a little detour!); with a two-day total time of 16:36:54; and an average pace of 12.0.

“It was the hardest, yet one of the most rewarding things, I’ve ever done in my life! But, I wasn’t the last to finish!”

With 84 donations made toward his goal of $25,000, Lawless has raised $19,739 as of this week. Donations are still being accepted - through October. To donate, visit profile.pmc.org – his registered name is JIM LAWLESS and his PMC ID is JL0746.