News and Information
Centerpoint Fall 2008 (PDF)
Row for Hope Partners with Yale Cancer Center for trans-Atlantic Journey by Rowboat
In 2007, Paul and Joy Ridley founded Row for Hope, a non-profit organization that raises money for cancer research. The motivation to start their organization came when the siblings lost their mother to skin cancer in 2001. Then later that year their father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was successfully treated, and is now cancer-free. However, the impact cancer had on the Ridley family remained.
On December 1st, Paul will set out on a solo, unsupported, trans-Atlantic journey by rowboat in the hopes of raising $500,000 for Yale Cancer Center. Beginning in the Canary Islands, Paul will row 2950 miles to Antigua, over a span of 60 to 80 days. To achieve his goals, he will row 10-12 hours a day and will have to consume 8,000-10,000 calories each day. The boat is a state-of-the-art, custom-built fiberglass composite craft named Liv, Norwegian for “Life.” "There's no obvious connection between rowing and cancer research, but I wanted to raise money. I was able to find a way to combine supporting cancer research with what I do best. I'm not a scientist, but I can row," said Paul. Paul is poised to become the third and youngest American to row any ocean solo and unsupported.
Seeing the different outcomes that can occur when someone is diagnosed with cancer, Paul and his sister Joy decided to do everything they could to support the research that had saved their father, and to prevent other families from having to experience what they went through when they lost their mother. This rowing journey is a way for Paul to not only support cancer research, but to honor his mother's memory as well.
Row for Hope chose to partner with Yale Cancer Center in order to fund cutting-edge research that is dedicated to bringing tomorrow’s cancer treatments and cures to patients today. "We knew we wanted to be associated with one of the most well-known, most successful cancer research centers in the country. After meeting and interacting with the physicians and staff at Yale Cancer Center, we knew it was the right place. It is a place where real progress is being made in cancer research," Paul explained. Funds raised by Row for Hope in 2008-2009 will help to expand the efforts of Dr. Mario Sznol, Vice-Chief of Medical Oncology and Co-Director of the Yale Cancer Center Melanoma Program. Dr. Sznol’s expertise is in cancer immunotherapy, early drug development for cancer, and the treatment of patients with melanoma and renal cell carcinoma.
"There is no limit to the ways you can make an impact. With the help of my wonderful team, I've been preparing for this journey mentally and physically, and I know what to expect. We have one goal and it is not to set records, but to raise $500,000 for cancer research. That is the only way in which our success will be measured," Paul said. For more information about Paul and his journey visit http://rowforhope.com/
