On a Sunday morning in early June, dozens of children lined up at Washington Street Elementary School in Franklin, eager for the 8:30 a.m. start. They were there to ride bikes - and to fight cancer. The Franklin PMC Kids Ride took place on June 7 and it is part of the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), a statewide cycling fundraiser that supports cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Two local teachers were among the organizers helping make it happen.

Patrick Brogan teaches fourth grade at Freeman-Kennedy School in Norfolk. About 10 years ago, his neighbor Lisa Marchioni, one of the ride's founding coordinators, told him about the event. Patrick rode with his son. His wife Nancy then joined the organizing committee.

Jen Lyons teaches second grade at Lincoln Street K-2 Elementary School in Franklin. She is also a friend of Marchioni's and got involved around the same time, bringing her two children along.

Both teachers have kept coming back year after year. So have their students.

Patrick formed a student team called the Broganators. The idea was to give his fourth graders a goal and a reason to fundraise together. This year the team had 40 riders and raised about $6,800. The kids ran a lemonade stand and made bracelets using PMC beads to collect donations.

Jen formed a team called the Peddling Pandas. This year her team had about 25 riders and raised approximately $3,000.

The parents get involved too, Patrick and Jen noted. And the excitement builds. Kids are so energized for the 8:30 start, they said.

One of Jen's second graders summed it up: "This is the best day of my entire life!"

Routes for every rider

The ride offers options for all ages and skill levels. Older, more experienced riders can take on a 10-mile route through the backroads of Franklin, including two significant hills. A 6-mile route covers similar terrain with fewer hills. A 3-mile flat route loops back to the school.

For the youngest participants, typically age 6 and under, there is a "Tikes & Trikes" ride around the parking lot. Big wheels, tricycles, scooters, and training wheels are all welcome on that course.

A community effort

The ride is organized by Lisa Marchioni and Lisa Cronin, along with committee members Nancy Brogan, Sharon Baryluk, and Heidi Winiker. Local businesses provide sponsorship support, and volunteers help at water stops and along the routes.

This year's PMC Pedal Partner, a child in treatment at the Jimmy Fund Clinic paired with the Franklin ride, is a girl named Tessa. Her family shared that the Jimmy Fund has been a source of hope and support through her treatment.

Twenty years, $750,000 and counting

The Franklin PMC Kids Ride has been running for about 20 years. This year alone, it raised approximately $45,000. Over its lifetime, it has raised more than $750,000.

Every dollar counts and goes where it is intended: 100% of all rider-raised funds go directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund.

Patrick and Jen both said the same thing when asked why they keep coming back: everyone has been touched by cancer in some way. This ride gives kids a way to do something about it.

It also gets them on bikes. Both teachers noted that the event motivates children to learn to ride and to ditch the training wheels.

How to get involved

The Franklin PMC Kids Ride is open to children ages 3 to 14. Registration is $20, with a $40 fundraising minimum. A virtual rider option is also available for those who cannot ride in person.

For information on next year's event, visit kids.pmc.org/franklin or follow the ride on Facebook and Instagram.