2012-05-30 / Features

Riding For The Cure


There’s an old proverb that says “You’ll accomplish more if you start now.” Jay Binkowitz, of American Eye Care in Astoria, is competing in the annual Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) this August. Binkowitz, who competed in last year’s event, was one of the 5,000 riders who helped raise $35 million. All money went to support the Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC is the largest organized bike ride for cancer in America. In a phone interview with the Queens Gazette, Binkowitz was inspired to participate in the race after his cousin lost his 23 year old son Jared to brain cancer. The team that Binkowitz rides on is called Team Kermit. The Muppet character was a favorite of young Jared. According to Binkowitz, one of the most inspiring moments during one race was a youngster who stood in the crowd holding a sign reading “Because of you I’m here today.” “It doesn’t get better than that,” Binkowitz said. Today, that young man is one of the riders. The PMC bike ride is a two-day, 192 mile challenge from Sturbridge, Mass. to Provincetown, Mass. and runs August 4 and 5. –Jason D. Antos There’s an old proverb that says “You’ll accomplish more if you start now.” Jay Binkowitz, of American Eye Care in Astoria, is competing in the annual Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) this August. Binkowitz, who competed in last year’s event, was one of the 5,000 riders who helped raise $35 million. All money went to support the Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC is the largest organized bike ride for cancer in America. In a phone interview with the Queens Gazette, Binkowitz was inspired to participate in the race after his cousin lost his 23 year old son Jared to brain cancer. The team that Binkowitz rides on is called Team Kermit. The Muppet character was a favorite of young Jared. According to Binkowitz, one of the most inspiring moments during one race was a youngster who stood in the crowd holding a sign reading “Because of you I’m here today.” “It doesn’t get better than that,” Binkowitz said. Today, that young man is one of the riders. The PMC bike ride is a two-day, 192 mile challenge from Sturbridge, Mass. to Provincetown, Mass. and runs August 4 and 5. –Jason D. Antos

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