22nd Ride For Roswell Raises $4.6 Million for Cancer Research

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Ride For Roswell, New York State’s largest single-day cycling fundraiser, concluded its 22nd year this weekend by raising a total of $4.6 million for cancer research and patient-care programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Ride Weekend involved more than 10,000 riders, volunteers and countless other supporters. In 1996, the first Ride For Roswell had 1,000 riders who raised just over $100,000. Over the past 22 years, The Ride has raised more than $42 million for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and more than 100,000 riders have participated in the event.

“The Ride For Roswell is such an incredible event, and it wouldn’t be possible without the passion and commitment of thousands of riders and volunteers. The funds they’ve raised are critical in allowing us to discover and provide the latest in innovative therapies as well as compassionate quality-of-life programs to ease their cancer journey,” said Candace Johnson, PhD, Roswell Park President and CEO. “And to think that just a few miles up the road a group of committed hockey players with the 11 Day Power Play have already raised more $1 million to benefit our patients at Roswell Park - it’s truly inspiring. This generosity underscores the fact that we’re fighting this fight as one united community, and we are grateful to Western New York for its unwavering support of our fight against cancer.”

The weekend began on Friday with the Peloton, a 12-mile route from Roswell Park to University at Buffalo (UB) that is reserved for top fundraisers. The 200 Peloton riders each raised more than $1,000 and passed a qualifying ride in order to participate. Before departing, the riders stood outside of Roswell Park with personal notes from current patients in their hands while reaching up toward the hospital windows in a salute to cancer patients who were looking out. The Peloton riders then rode in two-by-two formation while carrying a contained flame from Roswell Park through the City of Buffalo and into Celebration Village on the UB campus as part of The Ride For Roswell’s Celebration of Hope.

The Celebration of Hope, a community-wide rally against cancer, included:

• family-friendly activities and live entertainment.
• opportunities to engage with Roswell Park doctors, faculty and staff who demonstrated how funds raised by The Ride help fuel cancer research at the Institute.
• an inspirational and emotional stage program featuring the arrival of the Peloton and an Olympics-style procession of patients, survivors, caregivers and doctors.

This year’s Celebration of Hope event also introduced the Ride For Roswell Ceremonial Torch, which was lit by a Western New York family who lost a loved one and long-time Ride For Roswell participant to cancer last year.

On Saturday, The Ride included cyclists of all ages and abilities on routes ranging from 3 to 102 miles, including a 44- and 26-mile Canada route and a new 14-mile RosRoll, which departed from the Roswell Park start line led by team members of Slow Roll Buffalo.

Support of The Ride For Roswell generously provided by:

PRESENTING SPONSOR: West Herr Automotive Group.

REVOLUTION SPONSOR: Tops Friendly Markets.

BIG WHEEL SPONSORS: CSX; Dunkin’ Donuts; Praxair; M&T Bank; New Era Cap Co.; Sahlen’s Packing Co.; University at Buffalo; WGRZ Channel 2.

BREAK AWAY SPONSORS: Buffalo Bisons; Cumulus Media ; Eberle + Sciandra, Flynn & Friends; Lamar; Pactimo; Subway; Townsquare Media; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Buffalo.

TEN SPEED SPONSORS: FedEx; Ferguson Electric; Modern Corporation; E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company; Danforth; Erie County ARES; RACES; Geico; Baillie Lumber Co.

FIVE SPEED SPONSORS: Hale Northeastern; SMP; Bert's Bikes and Fitness; Rich Products; Life Storage; New York Institute of Massage; Mississippi Mudds; Mantelli Trailer Sales; Lincoln Storage; Intense Milk; Upstate Farms; Labatt; Santora's Pizza Pub & Grill; Bristol Myers Squibb; All Season Tent Rental; Five Star Bank; Roy’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling; Saia Communications, Inc.; Southtown Audio Video; ThermoFisher Scientific; True Sense Marketing.

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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 1-877-ASK-Roswell Park (1-866-559-4838) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org. Follow Roswell Park on Facebook and Twitter.