Row for Hope Will Support Yale Cancer Center with trans-Atlantic Journey
For Immediate Release
Date: 09/04/08
Contact: Emily Fenton, (203) 436-8549
New Haven, Conn. –On December 1st, Paul Ridley 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.
The reason for this journey begins in 2001 when Paul lost his mother to skin cancer. Then, later that year, his 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, and in 2007, Paul and his sister Joy founded, Row for Hope, a non-profit organization that raises money for cancer research. Paul is now poised to become the third and youngest American to row any ocean solo and unsupported. This rowing journey is a way for Paul to not only support cancer research, but to honor his mother's memory as well. "There's no obvious connection between rowing and cancer research, but I wanted to find a way 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.
Row for Hope decided 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 physician's 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.
Visit http://www.rowforhope.com or http://www.yalecancercenter.org/involved/hope.html for more information.