The Cancer Research Institute Ride To Conquer Cancer Sponsored By Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Over $1.7 Million Raised By 860 Participants As The Inaugural Ride Commences In New York
Funds raised through The Ride to Conquer Cancer enable the Cancer Research Institute to support immunotherapy research, treatment, and education programs at top universities and hospitals in New York City and around the world
NEW YORK, June 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cancer Research Institute Ride to Conquer Cancer sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb announced 860 participants helped raise over $1.7 million, as the inaugural Ride commenced in New York on Saturday. Funds raised through The Ride enable the Cancer Research Institute to support immunotherapy research, treatment, and education programs at top universities and hospitals in New York City and around the world.
It is estimated that cancer will cause one in four deaths this year in the United States and, in New York, there will be more than 107,000 new incidences of cancer.
"We are incredibly grateful to this community of riders, donors, sponsors, crew, and volunteers, who each played a significant role in making our first Ride to Conquer Cancer a success," said Jill O'Donnell-Tormey, chief executive officer and director of scientific affairs at the Cancer Research Institute.
"The Cancer Research Institute believes even the most intractable cancers will soon be manageable and non-life threatening, as a result of scientific advances in immunotherapy. The vital funds raised by our Riders help ensure the sustainability of promising immunotherapy programs now under way by world-leading scientists, researchers, and doctors in New York City and around the globe," O'Donnell-Tormey added.
The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a two-day, 150-mile cycling event through the countryside of New York and Connecticut, with an overnight camp midway at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, New York. At camp, participants will enjoy pre-set tents, hot meals, showers, live entertainment, massages, and other festive activities. The event brings together communities of cancer survivors, cyclists, and supporters who train and fundraise for months in order to participate.
"My dad passed away from colon cancer on December 31, after a five-year battle with the disease," said rider Erica Lang, from North Massapequa, New York.
"Through his battle, he taught me to be brave and strong, and never give up. These values have been incredibly useful as I prepared for this 150-mile Ride. I am dedicating every mile to my dad and I know he would be so proud of what we've accomplished this weekend," Lang added.
Murdo Gordon, head of worldwide markets, Bristol-Myers Squibb, said his company is proud to support the important mission of the Cancer Research Institute, and is honored to help advance research programs that are giving cancer patients new options that work with the patient's own immune system.
"For our teams of employees, friends and family at Bristol-Myers Squibb, this effort is quite personal," said Gordon, whose company is fielding a team of 16 riders including him.
"Cancer has impacted each of us in some capacity, and we are all riding for someone this weekend, whether a family member, colleague or friend. We believe in the importance of immunotherapy and appreciate the effort Cancer Research Institute is making to help cancer patients around the world. We salute and give thanks to everyone riding and the hundreds of crew and volunteers who've helped support the riders along the way this weekend," Gordon added.
The Ride start and finish takes place at place Tibbett's Brook Park in Yonkers, New York, and pit stops with fresh food, beverages, and public cheer stations are set up along the route to support Riders as they pass through local communities. Ride organizers expect hundreds of supporters to attend the finish line and cheering stations along the route.
"This event has been an incredibly inspiring experience for everyone involved. To donate or request information about The Ride, visit www.ridetovictory.org/ny or call (844) 650-7433," O'Donnell-Tormey concluded.
ABOUT THE CANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE: The Cancer Research Institute (CRI), established in 1953, is the world's only nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to transforming cancer patient care by advancing scientific efforts to develop new and effective immune system-based strategies to prevent, diagnose, treat, and eventually cure all cancers. Guided by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Council that includes three Nobel laureates and 27 members of the National Academy of Sciences, CRI has invested $282 million in support of research conducted by immunologists and tumor immunologists at the world's leading medical centers and universities, and has contributed to many of the key scientific advances that demonstrate the potential for immunotherapy to change the face of cancer treatment. To learn more, go to www.cancerresearch.org
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit www.bms.com, or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bmsnews.
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SOURCE The Ride to Conquer Cancer
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