Canary Challenge Anti-Cancer Ride Draws All-Star Roster of Pro Cyclists and Corporate Teams

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 6 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Canary Foundation has teamed up with great sponsors including VMware, Lumber Liquidators, and Avaya to bring the second annual Canary Challenge on September 29, 2012, back to Palo Alto, California. The event is held to raise funds for cancer research and innovative supportive care programs at the Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI). Unlike other charity rides, the Canary Challenge ensures that 100% of all donations are directed to the event beneficiary, the SCI.

The event is produced by Canary Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the principle that the best way to reduce mortality and suffering from cancer is to detect it early. Don Listwin, Founder and CEO of Canary Foundation said of the event, "Canary Foundation understands that by activating the community, we can improve the quality of life and make a positive difference right here where we live. We are so grateful to the participants in the Canary Challenge for helping us raise funds for this local cancer institute, and increase awareness of cancer early detection."

Multiple corporations across Silicon Valley and Stanford Medical Center have been forming teams to compete to be the 2012 Canary Challenge top fundraiser. These 30 teams include Avaya, KLA-Tencor, HP, Humana, Clustrix, Accenture-Stanford Hospital & Clinics Team, Icon Venture Partners, GHI (Genomic Health Inc.), Accelrys, OSIsoft, Canary Chicks, Stanford Surgery, SHC Auxiliary, and Team Lauren (in support of LPCH). Heading the pack, Team OSIsoft and Ringers raised $25,000 in one night with a charity poker game with all the proceeds donated to the Canary Challenge. To date, Team OSIsoft has raised a total of $27,475.00.

This year there will be pro-riders at the September 29 Canary Challenge.  They include Liza Rachetto of Primal Map/My Ride Pro-cycling Team, Jonathan Coulter, Christine Thorburn of Webcor and her husband Ted Huang also of Webcor; Linda Jackson, founder and president of Team TIBCO, TIBCO rider Megan Guarnier, Vanderkitten Team members Jennifer Reither and Emily Collins, Director Vanderkitten Athletics Jonathan Coulter, junior rider Eamon Lucas.

All rides start and finish at VMware campus in Palo Alto where a village will be set-up for ride support, entertainment, food & drink, and spectators.  The entire family can share a day of fun at our VMware Village. Enjoy delicious food and a live band as riders return from their routes. Prepare to be wowed by a skateboard slalom demonstration, jump for joy in a bounce house, and bring a smile to your cheeks with face painting! Cycling participants can chose between 4 routes – 50km, 75km, 100km, and a full 100-mile century. For more information on the Canary Challenge, visit http://www.canarychallenge.com.

About Canary Foundation
Canary Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to the goal of identifying cancer early through a simple blood test and then isolating it with imaging. Since 2004, Canary has raised over $53 million to support early detection research. Its collaborative research programs span multiple disciplines and institutions. One hundred percent of donations go to early detection research activities. For more information, please visit www.canaryfoundation.org.

About Stanford Cancer Institute
The Stanford Cancer Institute is world renowned for its advanced clinical care, scientific research and technological inventions. Drawing upon the expertise of more than 550 doctors, scientists, nurses and staff, it is the only center between San Francisco and Los Angeles to receive National Cancer Institute designation—an honor earned only by the nation's top cancer centers. Its location at Stanford University in the heart of Silicon Valley, an incubator for some of the country's most successful medical and technology organizations, allows patients to benefit directly from collaborations with local partners. With over 250 clinical trials, hundreds of research projects, the most sophisticated technologies, and comprehensive supportive care, the Stanford Cancer Institute is at the forefront of today's advances in cancer treatment, prevention, and early detection. For more information, please visit www.cancer.stanford.edu.

SOURCE Canary Foundation