The Workspace Community Gives Back (1 of 4)

Written by Lisa Huffman

2022-11-07

Our coworking community is remarkable. Not only do we support each other daily at Workspace, but many of us also support our wider community by donating time, money, and resources to local charitable organizations. In recent months, Workspace members and our own remarkable team gave back to organizations that hold special places in their hearts. Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing some of the incredible and selfless stories shared by members of our Workspace community right here on the blog so be sure to check back.

Meet Matt Rudnick:

This past August, Work Station member, Matt Rudnick participated in the Pan-Mass Challenge for the fourth time! He has personally raised nearly $20K for this massive event riding with Team Domestiques, not to mention the countless hours of training that was necessary to prepare for the grueling 211-mile ride. 

 

The PMC is an annual bike-a-thon that was founded in 1980 and raises more money for charity than any other single cycling event in the country.1 PMC Sponsors cover all expenses – everything from food, lodging, bike repairs, and medical tents – allowing 100% of the funds raised by each rider to go directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In 2022 alone, those funds totaled $66 million! Outstanding!

 

Many of us have lost loved ones to cancer and, unfortunately, Matt is no exception. He shared a touching memory of his Aunt Ellen who was only in her 30s when she succumbed to this indiscriminate disease. The two went to the movies in 1986 to see Top Gun. This summer’s release of the sequel, Maverick, brought the bittersweet memories of Matt’s time with his Aunt Ellen front of mind. 

 

For this year’s ride, Matt and Team Domestiques joined the PMC Pedal Program which focuses on pediatric cancer patients who are going through treatment at Dana Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic. The riders and teams are encouraged to build relationships with their PMC Pedal families and have opportunities to meet them. Team Domestiques dedicated their ride to 3-year-old Freddie Page. Freddie was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma and underwent five rounds of chemotherapy, two bone marrow transplants, two types of radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy that concluded in December 2021. Today he is thriving and his father directly attributes the Jimmy Fund and fundraising from the PMC to saving his son’s life.

 

Prior to his involvement with the PMC, Matt served on the Board and was Chairman of a nonprofit for at-risk kids from 2009-2014. Camp Starfish in Rindge, NH is a camp for children who have social, emotional, learning, or behavioral needs. Part of what makes Camp Starfish so unique is that each child has their own counselor. This allows campers to be met wherever they are individually while simultaneously enabling them to be part of a group and enjoy a true summer camp experience. “Camp Starfish is a place where each child is celebrated for being the person they are, while at the same time, given space and support to grow their skills and self-esteem.”2

It's a very special camp indeed, and no surprise to those who know him that Matt was compelled to be part of it. Thank you for sharing your stories with us, Matt, and for all you have done over the years to help others. Something tells us your charitable giving is not done.

1 https://www.pmc.org/

2 http://www.campstarfish.org/