The Ride To Conquer Cancer Announces $2.6 Million Raised By Over 1,000 Participants As 1st Annual Ride Commences In The Capital Region

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ride to Conquer Cancer announced over 1,000 participants helped raise $ 2.6 million for Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Sibley Memorial and Suburban Hospitals as the first annual Ride commenced in The Capital Region on Saturday.  Funds raised support life-saving cancer research and accelerate transformational cancer discoveries at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Sibley Memorial and Suburban Hospitals.

"We are incredibly grateful to the community of riders, donors, volunteers, sponsors and the hundreds of crew and volunteers who helped make our first annual Ride to Conquer Cancer a remarkable success for the world-leading cancer programs at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Sibley Memorial and Suburban Hospitals," said Dr. William Nelson, Director of Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.

"One in four deaths will be caused by cancer this year in The United States.  Johns Hopkins Medicine is on a mission to improve the health of our community and the world by setting the standard of excellence in medical education, research and clinical care.  The vital funds raised are already powering our world-leading leading researchers and doctors at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Sibley Memorial and Suburban Hospitals to make breakthrough discoveries and enabling more precise cancer treatments and screening interventions for individuals," Dr. Nelson added.

The annual 2-day, 150 mile cycling event through The Capital Region draws thousands of Riders supported by hundreds of crew and volunteers, and brings together communities of cancer survivors, cyclists and supporters who train and fundraise for months in order to participate.

"I was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer when I was 21 years old and then in 2009 my tonsils were removed and found to be cancerous," said J. Robert Edrington, from Catonsville, MD.

"This year marks my five year anniversary since my last radiation treatment and I wanted to do something to mark the occasion.  The Ride to Conquer Cancer gives me the opportunity to raise funds for cancer research and for the hope that my children will never have to worry about supporting their family while fighting cancer," Edrington added.

Ride organizers released the dates of September 19^th and 20^th for the 2015 Ride, and encouraged people of all athletic abilities to participate. 

"We extend a warm welcome to everyone here this weekend and hope you all will join us next year for the 2^nd annual Ride to Conquer Cancer," said Dr. Nelson.

"Register today by visiting www.ridetovictory.org or by calling us at (855) 822-7433," Dr. Nelson concluded.

Ride organizers expect thousands of supporters to attend public cheering stations along the route.  For a map of the Ride routes, visit www.ridetovictory.org. 

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SOURCE The Ride to Conquer Cancer