Cycle for Survival

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 10,000 people nationwide will participate in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's sixth annual Cycle for Survival event taking place this February. Equinox, the Founding Sponsor, will host events in New York City, Long Island, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. An indoor, team cycling event, Cycle for Survival funds much-needed research into better understanding and treating rare cancers. Half of all people with cancer suffer from a rare form of the disease, including pancreatic, brain, ovarian and all pediatric cancers, but face limited treatment options since research into rare cancers is often underfunded.

When facing cancer, you want to ask your doctor 'what's the plan?' not 'is there a plan?'

After being diagnosed with sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, in 2005, Jennifer Goodman Linn experienced first-hand the limited treatment options available to rare cancer patients. She founded Cycle for Survival in 2007 to give back to MSK and to help jumpstart much-needed funding into better understanding and treating all rare cancers.

"Rare cancers are diseases that typically are not given the same research opportunities and funding, compared to major cancers in the U.S.," said Dr. Gary Schwartz, chief of the Melanoma and Sarcoma Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. "Cycle for Survival overcomes the significant hurdles we face to speed funding directly to the most promising new research projects, so real progress happens much faster. This is a very smart way to have an immediate impact on cancer care."

Within six months of Cycle events, every dollar raised is allocated to research projects led by MSK, so that patients can see the benefits of donations in the form of new clinical trials and investigational treatment options. Through 2011, Cycle has funded 25 clinical trials and research studies on rare cancers that might not have otherwise received funding.

$14 million and counting toward a plan for those with rare cancers

Together with Equinox, in just five years Cycle for Survival has become one of the nation's fastest-growing athletic fundraising events, raising more than $14 million and growing from a single location in New York City to six locations nationwide.

"When Jen and I founded Cycle for Survival, we brought together a small group of friends, hoping to raise $10,000 for MSK. In fact, we raised $250,000," said Dave Linn, co-founder, Cycle for Survival. "This little idea has grown beyond our wildest dreams to a movement that's having a global impact on rare cancers." 

This year marks the first without its founder, Jennifer Goodman Linn, who passed away in July 2011. Cycle for Survival supporters nationwide and in satellite events as far away as Hong Kong, London and Iceland will carry Jen's vision to find cures for all rare cancers.

"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," said Scott Rosen, Chief Operating Officer for Equinox Fitness Clubs. "Together with MSK, an organization unlike any other in its ability to give hope to millions in their quest against cancer, we feel honored to be keepers of the flame."

Cycle for Survival 2012 events will be held in Los Angeles (Feb. 4), San Francisco (Feb. 4), Long Island (Feb. 4), Chicago (Feb. 11), New York (Feb. 11-12), and Washington DC (Feb. 12). Teams register to ride for a four hour shift, with a maximum of 8 riders per bike. Teams may register multiple bikes. The event also features complimentary yoga classes, massage therapy and children's activities.  For more information, visit 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 worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.mskcc.org.

About Cycle for Survival
Cycle for Survival is a national indoor team cycling event that funds research led by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center into rare cancers.  Founded in 2007 by rare cancer patient Jennifer Goodman Linn, Cycle for Survival is one of the world's fastest growing athletic fundraising events. In just five years, Cycle for Survival has raised more than $14 million. Within six months of the events, every dollar raised is allocated to rare cancer research projects led by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Through 2011, Cycle for Survival has funded 25 clinical trials and research studies, paving the way for significant advancements, more effective treatment options and renewed hope for the millions of lives affected by rare cancers worldwide. For more information, visit 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 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

IT'S NOT FITNESS. IT'S LIFE.

Media Contacts: 

Cycle for Survival:
Caitlin Watras
[email protected]
212.277.3727

Equinox:
Nicole Moke
[email protected]
212.774.6337

SOURCE Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center