LAKEVILLE — When doctors diagnosed her cancer — on June 15, 2015, the day after her second birthday — Olivia Steiner looked up at her nurse, who poked and prodded, trying to find a vein for the IV, and said the words her family in the months ahead would come to know as a rallying cry.
“She said, ‘I’m trying to be brave,’ ’’ recalled her father, Jason Steiner, the words fresh in his memory more than a year later.
On Saturday, along the route of the 2016 Pan-Mass Challenge, Olivia’s family — mother, father, and siblings — wore shirts inspired by her words: “Team Brave Livy’’ and “LivStronger.’’
This year, Olivia and her family, who live in Burlington, are PMC Pedal Partners, in a program that pairs pediatric oncology patients with cyclists in an effort to motivate riders, support patients during their treatment, and build relationships, said Alison Rush PMC’s director of fund-raising and the Pedal Partner coordinator.
“It makes it that much more meaningful for everyone participating,’’ Rush said. “ It’s just so overwhelming and emotional to see everyone come together for the same cause: to try to find a cure.’’
The first cyclists kicked off this year’s Pan-Mass Challenge, a 192-mile bike ride and fund-raiser, early Saturday. The full route stretches from Sturbridge to Provincetown, with rest stops on the way and an overnight stay in Bourne. Last year, the PMC raised $45 million, Rush said, and this year she and the other organizers hope to reach their $46 million goal.
All money raised goes to the Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and directly benefits families like the Steiners, Rush said.
Under a tent at Apponequet Regional High School in Lakeville, Olivia and her family waited for their team’s cyclists, a group of riders who work for Bain Capital. When one arrived, Olivia’s mother, Christine Steiner, cracked a broad smile and rushed in for a hug.
“I’m so sweaty,’’ said Heidi Flood, who had just ridden 83 miles in a humid heat.
“I don’t care,’’ Christine Steiner responded as the two embraced.
Flood, 31, of Jamaica Plain, said having a Pedal Partner connects rider with cause.
“It changes the whole dynamic of the ride,’’ she said. “This is where the money goes. These kids are living proof.’’
The Pedal Partner program, Flood said, creates a broader support system for cancer survivors and their families, as many of the riders already have a connection to the disease.
Flood rode her first PMC in 2009, after her mother died of ovarian cancer, and she has continued every year since. Seeing all the support — more than 6,000 riders this year — is touching, she said.
“It’s amazing,’’ Flood said. “And we get to meet such amazing kids and families.’’
For Jason Steiner, attending this year’s event made him want to hop on his own bike and start training for next year.
“Just seeing people give time and selfless acts to people they don’t even know, it’s inspiring,’’ he said. “They just want to do the right thing.’’
Next year’s family team, he said, will also be named Team Brave Livy and the race will hopefully be celebratory. Olivia’s cancer is technically in remission, Christine Steiner said, and she has less than a year of chemotherapy remaining.
Some of Olivia’s days are worse than others, but the Steiners are optimistic.
“We really don’t have a choice,’’ Christine Steiner said. “If we weren’t, she’d feed off that.’’
And the positivity is paying off, she said.
“I get my strength from her; she’s amazing,’’ Christine Steiner said. “Sometimes I’ll break down and cry and she’ll say, ‘Don’t cry, Mom, I’m going to be OK.’’’
Reis Thebault can be reached at reis.thebault@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @reisthebault
