The Ride For Roswell Kicks Off 15th Anniversary Season

Fundraising and training begins in support of research and patient care at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

(BUFFALO, NY) The fifteenth anniversary season of The Ride For Roswell, Western New York’s largest one-day cycling event, kicked off today at the Buffalo Marriott Niagara in Amherst, NY. Thousands of riders across Western New York and beyond will fundraise and train over the coming months in anticipation of the June 26 event in support of cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The Ride For Roswell is a family-friendly event held at the University at Buffalo in Amhert, NY. The Ride features nine cycling routes for riders of all ability levels. This year, riders can choose from a 3-, 8-, 20-, 30-, 33-, 44-, 62.5-, or 100-mile ride. Plus, Extra Mile Club fundraisers ($1000+) have the chance to take part in the unique 12-mile Peloton ride that travels from Roswell Park’s campus to the main event at the University at Buffalo. Cyclists, volunteers and supporters can take advantage of a post-Ride celebration featuring live music, child-friendly entertainment and other attractions.

This year’s kick-off event featured the opportunity for new and returning riders to hear from top fundraisers; share training and fundraising tips and bolster team spirit. Last year’s Ride For Roswell raised $2.3 million for Roswell Park.

Register today (save $5 online) or read how-to tips and stories to help you fundraise or get a team started at www.RideforRoswell.org, or call 716-THE-RIDE. In-person presentations and recruitment kits also are available for any group interested in team participation.

The Ride For Roswell 2010 is made possible by: Major Sponsors: Wegmans; Praxair and Sahlen’s. Break Away Sponsors: Flynn & Friends, Inc; Old Man River; Mississippi Mudd’s; New Buffalo Shirt Factory; New Era Cap Co.; WGRZ-TV. Five Speed Sponsors; Dave and Buster’s; Independent Healtlh; Deltacraft; Fairgrounds Gaming and Raceway; First Niagara Bank; Modern Corporation; Buffalo Athletic Club; NFTA-Metro; Saia Communications, Inc.;  J.W. Danforth; United Healthcare; West Herr Automotive Group; Wal-Mart; and Seneca Gaming Corporation. Grand Tour Sponsors: Capital Management Services; Dick’s Sporting Goods; Marketing Technologies of WNY, LLC; Perry’s Ice Cream. High Gear Executive Sponsors: Malcolm Pirnie and Pizza Hut. High Gear Sponsors: Allied Waste; Buffalo Bisons; Progressive Direct Marketing; Rally Jungle. Big Tee Sponsors: International Imaging Materials, Inc.; Keyser Bros. Cadillac; Osmose Holding, Inc.; and Taravella Marketing.

The Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, founded in 1991, is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization formed to receive and administer funds supporting scientific and clinical research, state-of-the-art medical care, and patient-related activities at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center. The Institute was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. Roswell Park is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit Roswell Park’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or e-mail AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org.