Successful Ride for Roswell Welcomes More Than 8,000 Cyclists and 2,000 Volunteers Who Joined the Fight Against Cancer

BUFFALO, NY —The Ride For Roswell, the single largest annual fundraising event in Western New York and North America’s largest single-day cycling event, benefitting research and patient care programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, successfully concluded its 19th year this weekend by raising a total of $4.3 million.

Ride Weekend, which involved more than 8,000 riders, 2,000 volunteers and countless other supporters, continues to show increases in overall fundraising. In 1996, the first Ride For Roswell had 1,000 riders who raised just over $100,000. The Ride has now raised nearly $30 million for Roswell Park over the past 19 years.

“The Ride For Roswell is first and foremost about finding cures and saving lives. The money raised is so important to the funding of vital research and patient care programs critical to the thousands of people we treat every year,” said Donald L. Trump, MD, FACP, President and CEO of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. “But its meaning also goes much deeper for our patients, survivors, families, employees and volunteers. It’s a chance to honor a loved one, to take action, to make a difference, to bring hope and healing to so many people whose lives have been touched by this terrible disease. We are honored that so many people in our community and beyond have chosen to stand behind Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and support the important and pioneering work we do right here in Buffalo.”

The unforgettable weekend began on Friday with the Peloton, involving more than 200 cyclists who each raised more than $1,000 and stood outside of Roswell Park with names of patients in hand while reaching up to the hospital windows in a salute to cancer patients who were looking out. The Peloton group then rode in pack formation from Roswell Park through the City of Buffalo and into UB Stadium as part of The Ride For Roswell Opening Ceremony.

The Opening Ceremony was an inspirational rally against cancer that kicked off Ride weekend. Thousands of members of the Ride, Roswell Park and survivor communities were in the stands of UB Stadium for an Olympics-style Roswell Park Department Procession and the arrival of the 200-strong Peloton.

Steve Tasker, Ride For Roswell spokesperson, former Buffalo Bills player and ceremony emcee, shared his family’s cancer journey following the recent loss of his father-in-law, Lanny. In addition, Scott Hamilton, Olympic gold medalist and cancer survivor, shared his inspirational and emotional story.

Support of The Ride For Roswell generously provided by:

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

• West Herr Automotive Group

BIG WHEEL SPONSORS:

• CSX
• Dunkin’ Donuts
• M&T Bank
• New Era Cap Co.
• Praxair
• Sahlen’s
• Superior Group
• Time Warner Cable News
• Tops Friendly Markets
• University at Buffalo
• WGRZ-TV Channel 2

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The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park is 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 www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org. Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter.