Cancer survivor aims to complete nine-year PMC journey
(NECN: Brian Burnell, Windsor Locks, Conn.) – It is amazing the journey some people make to be part of the Pan Mass Challenge. The bike tour from several points near Boston to Provincetown is set for this weekend and raises money to fight cancer. One man is hoping to complete a journey he started 9 years ago. NECN’s Brian Burnell has the story. Patrick Byrne has had his ups and downs in life. On the upside he’s the CEO of the very successful Overstock.com. On the downside he’s had cancer 3 times. Upside again… He beat it all three times. In the summer of 2000 Patrick started a long ride to join the Pan Mass Challenge. Patrick Byrne, Overstock.com CEO: I went from San Francisco to New York and in Western Pennsylvania I developed some heart fibrillations and stayed in the hospital for a few days and then I kept going and just past New York City basically I bonked. He landed in the hospital for a few days and, needless to say, could not make PMC. Patrick Byrne, Overstock.com CEO: All these nine years its been eating at me and I’ve come back to ride from New York City to Sturbridge to meet them in Sturbridge and I had heart surgery not long ago, back in December, and if everything’s working I’ll continue from Sturbridge in on the PMC. In essence he’s finishing the ride he started 9 years ago and the key phrase there is “if everything’s working.” Patrick Byrne, Overstock.com CEO: I’m doing 40 to 50 miles a day. Its, uh… I’m feeling it so… We’ll see. We’ll see. His bike is feeling it a bit, too. Patrick Byrne, Overstock.com CEO: The handlebars came off in the Bronx. They loosened up more outside Hartford but a quick stop at a truck garage where the kind mechanic loaned him an 11-millimeter wrench solved that. Hopefully the bike and Patrick can make it all the way to Provincetown. Patrick Byrne, Overstock.com CEO: My dream has always been to ride the Sturbridge to Cape Cod route. If I don’t make it this year I’ll have to come back and do it again. We’re going to see how I feel in Friday when I get there. Patrick has also given the opportunity to his customers on Overstock.com to contribute to the Pan Mass Challenge. If you go to the website there’s a link that will hook you up with the PMC so that you can donate.
