Registration Now Open for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's Cycle for Survival 2013

NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Online registration is now open for Cycle for Survival, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's national indoor team cycling event that has raised more than $17 million for rare cancer research, funding more than 50 clinical trials and research studies since 2007. Cycle 2013 is expected to be the largest event yet, spanning 10 locations in eight states and bringing together more than 13,000 cyclers nationwide. The 2013 event schedule is as follows:

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Within six months of each Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cycle for Survival event, every dollar raised is allocated to an MSKCC research initiative devoted to discovering new and more effective treatments for rare cancers. Half of all people diagnosed with cancer suffer from a "rare" form of the disease, which include such well known types as pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer, and all pediatric cancers.

"There is a pressing need to increase funding for research into rare cancers, which do not attract as much support as other forms of the disease," said Memorial Sloan-Kettering President and CEO Craig B. Thompson. "Expanded research translates directly into the development of new approaches to treatment, and funds raised through Cycle for Survival truly make a difference in patients' lives."

In 2012 alone, the event raised more than $8 million and directly funded 28 research programs for rare forms of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, Ewing's Sarcoma, brain cancer, uveal melanoma, triple negative breast cancer, eye cancer, bladder cancer, and head and neck cancers.

"With the support from Cycle for Survival we are making real progress in rare cancer research," said Dr. Gary Schwartz, Chief of the Melanoma and Sarcoma Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. "This past year at the Annual Society of Clinical Oncology Meeting, Memorial Sloan-Kettering presented positive results from three studies partially funded by Cycle for Survival, and we are advancing these and multiple other studies on rare cancers into the next phases of clinical discovery."

Cycle for Survival was founded in 2007 by MSKCC patient Jennifer Goodman Linn and her husband, Dave Linn, in solidarity with Jennifer's fellow patients and in gratitude to her Memorial Sloan-Kettering physicians. Jennifer passed away in 2011.

"Jen and I originally founded Cycle for Survival to bring our friends together to help us give back to MSKCC, and the event has grown beyond our wildest dreams," said Dave Linn. "Every year Cycle for Survival nearly doubles in size and dollars raised, and we can only hope that will continue. Cycle has ignited a spirit of hope and action among the rare cancer community to join the battle to find a cure."

The 2013 Cycle for Survival events will take place at Equinox Fitness Clubs in Boston; Chicago; Greenwich, Connecticut; Long Island; Los Angeles; Summit, New Jersey; New York City; San Francisco; and Washington, DC. Satellite events will also take place in many other locations around the world. Teams register to ride a four-hour shift, with a maximum of 8 riders per bike. Teams may also register multiple bikes. The event features complimentary yoga classes, massage therapy, and children's activities.

"For everyone involved, Cycle for Survival has been the ride of a lifetime—and has taken our goal of inspiring members to a whole new level," says Scott Rosen, Chief Operating Officer for Equinox Fitness Clubs. "Together with MSKCC, an organization unlike any other in its ability to give hope to millions in their fight against cancer, we feel honored to be keepers of the flame kindled by Jennifer Goodman Linn, one of our most beloved members, whose memory lives on through this movement."

Join the battle at www.cycleforsurvival.org.

About Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is the world's oldest and largest private institution devoted to prevention, patient care, research, and education in cancer. Our scientists and clinicians generate innovative approaches to better understand, diagnose, and treat cancer. Our specialists are leaders in biomedical research and in translating the latest research to advance the standard of cancer care worldwide. For more information, go to www.mskcc.org.

About Cycle for Survival

Cycle for Survival is the national indoor team cycling event that funds research into rare cancers led by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). The event was started in 2007 by patient Jennifer Goodman Linn, and together with Equinox Fitness Clubs as Founding Partner, Cycle for Survival has become one of the world's fastest growing athletic fundraising events. In the past six years, Cycle for Survival has raised more than $17 million. Within six months of each event, every dollar raised is allocated to a research project led by MSKCC. This means patients quickly see the benefits of Cycle donations in the form of new clinical trials and investigational treatment options. Through 2011, Cycle has funded more than 50 clinical trials and research studies into rare cancers. For more information, go to www.cycleforsurvival.org.

About Equinox

Equinox Fitness Clubs operates 55 upscale, full-service facilities in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Dallas, and Washington, DC. The company offers an integrated selection of Equinox-branded programs, services, and products, including strength and cardio training, group fitness classes, personal training, spa services and products, apparel, and food/juice bars. Since its inception in 1991, Equinox has developed a lifestyle brand that represents service, value, quality, expertise, innovation, attention to detail, market leadership, and results. www.equinox.com

 

SOURCE Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center