Cycle for Survival Breaks Record With $25 Million Raised In 2015

NEW YORK, April 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cycle for Survival, the national movement to beat rare cancers, completed its annual series of rides in March. Indoor cycling instructors from Equinox led rides in 13 cities across the country, with over 21,500 participants at the inspiring, high-energy events.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7484551-cycle-for-survival

2015 marked a record-breaking year in fundraising, participants, and supporters. Nine years after the first event, Cycle for Survival is the fastest-growing athletic fundraising event,* and raised $25 million from more than 150,000 supporters.

Within six months, 100 percent of the funds will be allocated to rare cancer research studies and clinical trials led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the nation's No. 1 cancer care hospital,** which owns and operates Cycle for Survival.

Events took place in the following locations:

• Summit, New Jersey
• Boston
• Los Angeles (three locations)
• Miami
• Long Island, New York
• Dallas
• San Francisco
• Chicago
• Palo Alto, California
• Washington, D.C.
• Seattle
• Greenwich, Connecticut
• New York City (six locations)

Participants included rare cancer doctors and researchers, patients, survivors, and supporters. Celebrity supporters included:

• Seth Meyers, Late Night with Seth Meyers
• Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
• Mark Herzlich, New York Giants
• Kristin Davis, Actress and Philanthropist
• Alison Brie, Community and Mad Men
• Erica Hill, NBC TODAY Co-host
• Alicia Quarles, E! Correspondent
• Shannon Miller, Seven-time Olympic medalist
• Tom Cavanagh, The Flash
• Christopher Mintz-Plasse, How to Train Your Dragon 2
• Whitney Port, Designer of fashion line Whitney Eve
• Brittany Daniel, The Game
• Jesse Metcalfe, Desperate Housewives
• Colin Egglesfield, Rizzoli & Isles
• Samantha Harris, TV Personality
• Alysia Reiner, Orange is the New Black
• David Alan Basche, The Exes
• LaRoyce Hawkins, Chicago PD
• Marina Squerciati, Chicago PD
• Joe Minoso, Chicago Fire
• Randy Flagler, Chicago Fire 
• David Eigenberg, Chicago Fire
• Tucker Dupree, Paralympic Swimmer
• Max Jenkins, The Mysteries of Laura
• Hisham Tawfiq, The Blacklist
• Joseph Leo Bwarie, Broadway's Jersey Boys
• Sami Gayle, Blue Bloods
• Naturi Naughton, Musician/Actress, Fame, Power

Visit Battlecry.cycleforsurvival.org for personal stories, photos, and videos that recap highlights from the 2015 events. 

About half of all Americans with cancer face a rare form of the disease, which include thyroid, brain, ovarian, pancreatic, all pediatric cancers, and many others. Research on rare cancers is typically underfunded—often leaving patients with few or no proven treatment plans. As doctors and researchers race against the clock to develop new options, Cycle for Survival provides urgently needed funding.

* Source: Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum, 2014 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Top 30 Ranked by Gross Revenue

** Memorial Sloan Kettering was named the No. 1 hospital for cancer care in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in 2014.

QUOTES

Craig B. Thompson, President and CEO, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: "On behalf of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, I want to thank each person who rode, donated, cheered, instructed, and supported Cycle for Survival. Within six months, the $25 million raised by our dedicated participants will be allocated to promising research initiatives."

Sarah Robb O'Hagan, President, Equinox: "Equinox is incredibly proud to be the founding partner of Cycle for Survival and an integral part of the ninth annual events.  We share an immense passion for Cycle for Survival and are committed to growing the movement until we beat rare cancers. This year, I had the opportunity to ride in West Los Angeles; Irvine, California; Chicago; Greenwich, Connecticut; and at Bryant Park in New York City. I could not be more proud of the dedication and energy of everyone who rode, donated, and supported this movement. Together with the Equinox team, we are committed to riding harder, riding faster, and raising awareness to beat rare cancers."

MORE INFORMATION

About Cycle for Survival
Join the Battle. Cycle for Survival is the national movement to beat rare cancers. About half of all cancer patients are fighting a rare cancer, and they often face limited or no treatment options. Since 2007, Cycle for Survival has raised more than $76 million through its signature indoor team cycling events across the U.S. to help fund pioneering rare cancer research led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which owns and operates Cycle for Survival. Together with the movement's founding partner, Equinox, Cycle for Survival has supported innovative clinical trials, research studies, and major research initiatives. 100 percent of every donation funds rare cancer research. 

About Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
We are the world's oldest and largest private cancer center, home to more than 13,000 physicians, scientists, nurses, and staff united by a relentless dedication to conquering cancer. As an independent institution, we combine 130 years of research and clinical leadership with the freedom to provide highly-individualized, exceptional care to each patient. And our always-evolving educational programs continue to train new leaders in the field, here and around the world.

About Equinox
Equinox operates 73 upscale, full-service clubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Dallas and Washington, DC, as well as international locations in London and Toronto. The company offers an integrated selection of Equinox-branded programs, services and products, including strength and cardio training, group fitness classes, personal training, spa services and products, apparel and food/juice bars. Since its inception in 1991, Equinox has developed a lifestyle brand that represents service, value, quality, expertise, innovation, attention to detail, market leadership and results. 
IT'S NOT FITNESS. IT'S LIFE.

CONTACT:
Kate Murphy
kmurphy@fenton.com
401-578-9895  

SOURCE Cycle for Survival