Connecticut Challenge Contributes $500,000 to Yale Cancer Center
Charity Bike Ride Funds Connecticut's First Cancer Survivorship Clinic
For Immediate Release
Date: November 16, 2006
Contact: Renee Gaudette, 203-436-8533 or renee.gaudettet@yale.edu
Organizers of the 2nd annual Connecticut Challenge charity bike ride presented a check for $500,000 yesterday to Yale Cancer Center at a ceremony held in Darien. Many of the hundreds of riders, volunteers and sponsors were on hand as Connecticut Challenge founders, Jeff Keith of Fairfield and John Ragland of Westport presented the check to Richard Edelson, MD, Director of Yale Cancer Center. The funds are being used by Yale Cancer Center to create a Cancer Survivorship Clinic, the first such facility in the state and one of just a handful in the nation. The Clinic is scheduled to open later this month.
“We are extremely appreciative of The Connecticut Challenge for their support of Yale Cancer Center’s efforts to provide supportive services to the growing population of cancer survivors throughout the state. Through the Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Clinic and continued outreach to healthcare providers in the region, Yale Cancer Center is expanding the resources available to cancer survivors and our understanding of the special health concerns of cancer survivors,” said Edelson.
“In just our second year, we saw exciting increases in the number and types of riders in the Connecticut Challenge. We had over 318 riders in 2006, coming from 36 Connecticut communities and 9 other states, an increase of 56% over last year’s participation levels. In turn, those riders reached out to over 3,000 personal donors to raise more than $500,000. Our riders recognize the vast potential that a Survivorship Clinic presents for the cancer survivors in their lives and that motivates them,” said event Executive Director, Bob Mazzone.
Scott Engel, a rider from Ledyard, CT, who raised over $3,300 himself, explained his reason for participating: “My wife was diagnosed and treated for an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2005. It was emotionally and physically draining for both of us the entire time she was hospitalized. After treatments were over, we thought the natural progression was to hope that there would not be a recurrence and that we could move on with our lives. After she was released, at first there was a huge sense of relief, but soon there was also the feeling of vulnerability because she no longer had the hospital care right there. The Survivorship Clinic at Yale Cancer Survivorship will fill that void that many cancer survivors feel. I'm an avid rider and this cause gave me extra incentive to train and give back to the community.”
About the Connecticut Challenge
The Connecticut Challenge is a non-competitive bike ride to raise money for the Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Clinic at Yale Cancer Center. The 2006 event - the 2nd annual - took place on August 27th, starting and finishing in Fairfield. 318 riders registered for a 25, 50 or 100-mile ride and raised funds from personal sponsors to support their ride. The 2007 ride is scheduled for July 28th. People interested in learning more about how to ride, volunteer or contribute to the Connecticut Challenge are encouraged to visit www.ctchallenge.org.
About Yale Cancer Center
Established in 1974, Yale Cancer Center was one of the first university-based comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. Today, it is one of a select network of only 39 in the United States, and the only one in southern New England.
The Center harnesses the scientific resources of Yale University School of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale University. Led by Dr. Richard L. Edelson, a leader in cancer immunotherapy, Yale Cancer Center focuses on translational research, an approach through which laboratory discoveries are quickly and efficiently integrated with clinical patient care. For more information visit www.yalecancercenter.org.