Former San Francisco Giants Pitcher to Share His Inspirational Cancer Journey During a Powerful Weekend & Unforgettable Event

Dave Dravecky joins line-up for The Ride For Roswell 2013 Opening Ceremony

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and The Ride For Roswell are pleased to announce that former San Francisco Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky will share his inspirational message at The Ride For Roswell 2013 Opening Ceremony on Friday evening, June 21, 2013.

Dravecky was a pitcher for the Giants in the late 1980s when he lost his arm to cancer alongside his dream of playing professional baseball. Dravecky’s message is one of hope and encouragement to others to let them know they are not alone in their journey.

The Ride for Roswell Opening Ceremony is an inspirational rally against cancer that kicks off Ride weekend.  The program features a procession of Roswell Park researchers, doctors, cancer survivors and patients, the arrival of the Peloton, video tributes and inspirational speakers. Country star LeAnn Rimes will end the evening with a live performance from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Ride For Roswell, Roswell Park’s largest fundraising event, will take place the next day, Saturday, June 22, 2013.

The Opening Ceremony is only open to The Ride for Roswell Community of supporters---riders, virtual riders, volunteers, Roswell Park patients, their caregivers and cancer survivors, and is free.  The opening ceremony is not open to the public.

Who Can Attend the Opening Ceremony:

  • Registered Adult Rider or Virtual Rider and one complimentary guest
  • Registered Ride Volunteer and one complimentary guest
  • Roswell Patient/Survivor and four complimentary guests
  • Roswell Park Staff Member and one complimentary guest


Those wishing to bring additional guests above and beyond what is outlined above can do so for a donation of $20.

Dravecky was first placed in the public spotlight in the late 1980s when his career took off as a major league baseball pitcher, a “southpaw” for the San Francisco Giants.  Shortly after realizing his lifelong dream, Dravecky was diagnosed with a soft tissue cancer in the deltoid muscle of his pitching arm.  The next years were a whirlwind of surgery, radiation, pain and depression, all in the glaring light of the media. Eventually, Dravecky’s arm was amputated to stop the spread of the cancer and save his life.  Since that time, Dravecky has been sharing the good, the bad and the ugly of the journey.  In 1991, Dravecky and his wife Jan founded Endurance, a nonprofit offering comfort, encouragement and hope to those who are going through difficult journeys.     

About The Ride for Roswell
Founded in 1996, The Ride for Roswell is an annual cycling event that benefits research and patient care programs at Roswell Park.  The Ride starts and finishes on the North Campus of the University at Buffalo in Amherst, NY.   With routes ranging from 3 miles to 100 miles, cyclists of all abilities participate in The Ride.  In 2012, The Ride for Roswell was expanded to include an Opening Ceremony, which takes place the evening before ride day.  The Opening Ceremony brings riders, virtual riders, volunteers and supporters together with Roswell Park doctors, patients, cancer survivors and employees to rally against cancer.

About Roswell Park
The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Roswell Park, founded in 1898, 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. The Institute 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 http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org.

                   

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Media Contact

Leslie Garrity, Director of Strategic Marketing
& Communications
716-845-1038
leslie.garrity@roswellpark.org