2017 Great Cycle Challenge USA Raises More Than $4.4 Million To Fight Kids' Cancer

MINNEAPOLIS, July 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's Cancer Research Fund (CCRF), a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to finding a cure for childhood cancer, concluded the 2017 Great Cycle Challenge USA (GCC-USA) by raising over $4.4 million to fight childhood cancer as more than 38,000 cyclists from all 50 states pedaled nearly 2.8 million miles in June. Since CCRF launched the nationwide fundraising event in 2015, 75,000 cyclists have pedaled more than 6 million miles and raised over $9.1 million to fund vital childhood cancer research.

The funds raised will jumpstart and advance research in childhood cancers, including leukemia, brain tumors, sarcomas and more, at top children's hospitals across America. Last year's event provided research awards to ten Children's Oncology Group sites, including; Children's Hospital of Atlanta - Egleston; Children's Hospital of Los Angeles; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston; Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota; and others.

Riders can participate as individuals or as members of a team. The top fundraising team was Callie's Crew – a partnership of 558 riders from across America who rode a combined 140,370 miles and raised $379,653 to support 8-year-old GCC Ambassador Callie Cavanaugh of Williamsport, PA, who has been battling pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma since 2015. The top individual fundraisers were: Patience Renzulli of Paducah, KY ($20,796); Dan Parmalee of Simpsonville, SC ($16,280); Joel Falter of Culver City, CA (744-miles); Dr. Arden Virnig of Onamia, MN ($13,139); Kathy Dunn of Tampa, FL ($11,535). Dave Harris of Cary, NC ($11,100); Tom Smith of Siler City, NC ($10,390), Richard Schwenk of Garden Grove, CA ($10,000). For a look at the top individual fundraisers, visit https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Leaderboards/Individuals.

"With advances in medical technology like genome sequencing and cellular therapies, we are at an important tipping point in bringing more effective, less toxic treatments to young cancer patients," says John Hallberg, Chief Executive Officer of CCRF. "Funds provided by this year's riders and their supporters will allow us to fund more research in these emerging areas and bring new hope to families everywhere."

ABOUT Great Cycle Challenge USA: Great Cycle Challenge USA encourages riders across the United States to challenge themselves and set their own personal riding goal throughout June to fight kids' cancer. In addition to receiving more than 80,000 individual donations the event is also supported by corporate partners Macy's and Thrivent Mutual Funds. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/GreatCycleChallengeUSA

ABOUT Children's Cancer Research Fund: Children's Cancer Research Fund invests in groundbreaking research that is leading to better treatments and cures for children with cancer. CCRF also funds vital family support services and advocates for childhood cancer education and awareness. Since 1981, CCRF donors have helped fund research that has revolutionized the way childhood cancer is treated worldwide.

SOURCE Children's Cancer Research Fund

Related Links

http://www.childrenscancer.org