Despite Economy, "City of Good Neighbors" To Raise Record Amount for Cancer Research

Cycling Ride for America’s First Cancer Center Up 25% in Ridership and 21% in Donations.

BUFFALO, NY - They’re known for the chicken wing… Frank Lloyd Wright homes… and being neighbors to one of the natural wonders of the world. But as the economy continues its challenging ascent, Buffalonians of every stripe will be known this Saturday for something even more remarkable: being among our country’s most dedicated cancer fighters.

Over 8,000 individuals will gather at the University at Buffalo this Saturday, June 27, to be riders or volunteers in the annual Ride For Roswell, presented by Wegmans—a cycling fundraiser for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, America’s first cancer center and today one of 40 designated as the country’s premier Comprehensive Cancer Centers by the National Cancer Institute.

Together they plan to raise over $2 million, and much more in the months ahead--21% above last year’s event, with a full 25% more registrants and 31% more teams.

Funds will support cutting-edge research to find cures and save lives. Individuals, families and corporations will ride in honor of loves ones, co-workers and friends—as well as to celebrate their own cancer survivorship. They’ll be decked out in homemade t-shirts as colorful as a rainbow—with names to match—like “Michael’s Angels,” “Cancer Crusaders” and “Three Generations of Hope.

Eight routes are available for riders to choose from—plus the option to be a virtual rider, raising funds and showing up for the celebratory picnic.

In one national study of philanthropy performed by Cygnus Applied Research, Inc. in January 2009 (“Philanthropy in a troubled Economy”), over 17,000 Americans were asked if they would give equally, more or less to special event fundraising since October 2008 changed the economic landscape. A total of 9.7% nationally said they planned to give more through sponsoring participants, friends and family members in fundraising events; while a full 21.4% of the Buffalo sample of Roswell Park donors and friends said they would give more this way.

Six months later, the Buffalonians stayed true to their word—to the tune of raising more for research that could someday save lives across our world.

Read more or donate today at www.RideForRoswell.org or watch for live updates, photos and videos throughout the day on Saturday June 27.

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Media Contact

Annie Deck-Miller, Senior Media Relations Manager
716-845-8593; annie.deck-miller@roswellpark.org