Eva Herzing of Dunedin will pedal across Massachusetts on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, joining more than 6,000 cyclists in the Pan-Mass Challenge, the largest single athletic fundraising event in the world.

The annual two-day bike-a-thon raises money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. This year's fundraising goal is $79 million, which would be a record for the event. Last year's ride raised $78 million.

The goal is ambitious.

For the 20th consecutive year, 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar will go directly to Dana-Farber.

Riders choose routes ranging from 25 to 177 miles, supported by about 4,000 volunteers, according to the Tampa Bay Beacons. Participants come from 47 states and 12 countries, according to PMC organizers. Among them is the event's Living Proof community, riders and volunteers who have been treated for cancer or are currently in treatment.

Since its founding in 1980, the Pan-Mass Challenge has raised $1.125 billion for Dana-Farber, making it the hospital's largest single contributor. The event accounts for 67 percent of the annual revenue of the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber's community fundraising arm.

Founder and chairman Billy Starr said in a statement released July 23 that this year's ride comes at an especially critical time, with federal research support shrinking, grant approval rates at historic lows, and cancer cases continuing to rise.

"The theme for this year's PMC, which is 'now, more than ever,' underscores the paramount importance of every single dollar raised in fueling the search for a cure," Starr said.

Residents who want to support Herzing's ride can donate at her Pan-Mass Challenge fundraising page at profile.pmc.org/EM0191.

Herzing and the rest of the field roll out Saturday, August 1, chasing a record that would push the event's lifetime total past $1.2 billion.