Cycle For Survival, The National Movement To Beat Rare Cancers, Launches 2015 Events

Every dollar raised nationwide, with support from founding partner, Equinox, will fund research led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

News provided by

Cycle for Survival

Feb 05, 2015, 11:05 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cycle for Survival, the movement to beat rare cancers, will begin its annual series of indoor cycling rides on Saturday at select Equinox clubs across the country. 100 percent of every dollar raised by Cycle for Survival funds rare cancer research 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. All donations are allocated to research within six months of the events.

Cycle for Survival, the National Movement to Beat Rare Cancers, Launches 2015 Events

Visit www.CycleforSurvival.org to learn more about upcoming events and to find photos and videos.

Between February 7 and March 8, top indoor cycling instructors from Equinox, Cycle for Survival's founding partner, will lead rides at these all-day, family-friendly events. Participants include rare cancer doctors and researchers, patients, survivors, and supporters. Also participating: Kristin Davis, Actress and Philanthropist; Alison Brie, Community and Mad Men; Chris Mintz-Plasse, How to Train Your Dragon 2; Whitney Port, Designer of fashion line Whitney Eve; Brittany Daniel, The Game; Jesse Metcalfe, Desperate Housewives; Kate Flannery, The Office; Colin Egglesfield, Rizzoli & Isles; Aisha Dee, Chasing Life; Samantha Harris, TV Personality; Alysia Reiner, Orange is the New Black; David Basche, The Exes.

This year, more than 20,000 riders in 13 cities will participate in Cycle for Survival, which is the fastest-growing athletic fundraiser in the U.S.** It has raised more than $60 million since it was founded in 2007.

The 2015 ride schedule:

Summit, New Jersey: February 7
Boston: February 7 and 8
Los Angeles: February 7 and 8
Miami: February 8
Long Island, New York: February 8
Dallas: February 21
San Francisco: February 21
Chicago: February 21 and 22
Palo Alto, California: February 22
Washington, D.C.: February 22
Seattle: February 22
Greenwich, Connecticut: March 1
New York City: February 27 and March 6 - 8

About half of all Americans with cancer face a rare form of the disease, which includes thyroid, brain, ovarian, pancreatic, all pediatric cancers, and many others. Rare cancer research 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.

Cycle for Survival was started in 2007 by Jennifer Goodman Linn, a patient at Memorial Sloan Kettering and an Equinox member, and her husband, David Linn. Goodman Linn died of sarcoma, a rare cancer, in 2011, but her indomitable spirit lives on through Cycle for Survival. An event that started at one Equinox club in one city, is now a movement of hundreds of thousands in cities across the country, united in the fight to beat rare cancers.

For more information about the 2015 rides, or to join the Cycle for Survival movement, visit http://www.CycleforSurvival.org/

* Memorial Sloan Kettering was named the number one hospital for cancer care in the nation by U.S. News & World Report

** Source: Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum, 2013 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Top 30 Ranked by Gross Revenue

QUOTES

Jose Baselga, MD, PhD, Physician-in-Chief and Chief Medical Officer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: "As Cycle for Survival begins its ninth year, I'd like to thank the participants and donors nationwide who make it possible for Memorial Sloan Kettering to advance the front lines of rare cancer research. I will be honored to ride again this year, and I look forward to reporting on the pioneering advances made possible by Cycle for Survival 2015."

Sarah Robb O'Hagan, President, Equinox: "Cycle for Survival is very personal to all of us at Equinox — from our senior leadership right through to our amazing club employees and our members. It is an honor for us to host Cycle for Survival for its 9^th year, giving our entire Equinox community the opportunity to make a real impact in the battle against rare cancers. Every dollar raised goes directly to clinical trials and research studies. We already see the awesome results of our sweat, tears, hope and tireless fundraising efforts. This year, I'll be riding (and cheerleading!) at Equinox clubs in Chicago, West LA, Irvine and New York. I can't wait to experience the magic of event day, and I'll be there with our teams to congratulate the participants in person on the tremendous impact they're making."

Mike Furman, Cycle for Survival participant: "For rare cancer patients like me, nothing is more urgent and valuable than research. What Cycle for Survival is doing to advance clinical trials and studies gives me hope and strength as I face my own battle. Riding at the events with my courageous wife Kathleen, our family, friends, colleagues and the other participants is truly unforgettable. The energy, driven by Equinox's instructors, is indescribable — and the love and support from everyone is extraordinary. As a current Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center patient, I know the care and expertise is unmatched, but MSK needs more funding — now — for research to help patients around the world. I'm thankful for the opportunity to take action in a meaningful way, and to fight back against cancer with Cycle for Survival."

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 $60 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. For more information, go to www.mskcc.org.

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
[email protected]
401-578-9895

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SOURCE Cycle for Survival