August 2, 2008 PMC kickoff: Sen. John Kerry riding for Kennedy Play video

(NECN: Sturbridge, Mass.) - Senator John Kerry is no stranger to the Pan-Mass Challenge. he has ridden the route before, and he himself is a cancer survivor. But this year, he's riding with an image in his mind. That image is that of his friend and longtime colleague, Sen. Edward Kennedy, who is fighting cancer, striding on to the floor of the United States Senate to vote on Medicare.

"Ted Kennedy is responsible for most of the addition to cancer research in this country, he's responsible for children's health care in this country, he's responsible for people's ability to take their health insurance from one place to another, he's been there for everybody."

And as a way to give back, Sen. Kerry and his team have raised $120,000 in this year's ride.

For the full highlights of our PMC kickoff show, click here

To donate please visit www.pmc.org or www.teamnecn.com