I am participating in The Ride For Roswell again this year, my 8th year, June 22, 2024, in memory of my sister Valerie who passed away 6 years ago just after the 2018 ride! This is much more than a bike ride for me — this is my contribution to the fight to improve cancer prevention and treatment through raising funding for a highly respected research and patient care institution and to support the institution where my sister and father have been cared for and where my father is currently being treated for a recurrence.
My sister Valerie was diagnosed with metestatic bile duct cancer five and a half years ago. This is a rare and as of today still non-curable cancer. This is among one of many types of cancers that remain relatively poorly understood and with few effective treatments. Research around cancer and cancer therapies not only benefit patients with more common cancers but also indirectly these rare forms of cancers. She battled this disease through many rounds of cancer drugs some of which have debilitating side effects, but still with a positive attitude and a view to the future, pushing hard to raise funds for research that can help patients in the future. Even through her declining health leading up to the 2018 event she worked non-stop raising money and pushing the rest of us. Even during the COVID pandemic Valerie's Team was a top 10 fundraiser thanks to all those who rode and contributed during 2 very difficult years!!
To date, Valeries team has raised over $350,000, raising $49,000 last year and targeting $50,000 this year
Consider this, according to Cancer.Org, an individual has a 1 in 3 chance of having cancer in their lifetime and a 1 in 5 chance of dying from cancer. While a significant motivation for me in participating in the Ride for Roswell has been my sisters battle with cancer, the funds raised to do research at Roswell truly will likely benefit each of us or a family member directly.
Your contribution will help me raise critically needed funds for cutting-edge cancer research and compassionate patient-care programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Your donation to my ride might provide the funding that the researchers at Roswell Park need in order to investigate new treatment options that can improve and save lives. These therapies can provide cutting-edge treatment choices to patients in our own community and in cancer centers worldwide.
You can make a difference in the fight against cancer by supporting my fundraising efforts. In fact, for every dollar donated, Roswell Park can leverage an additional $23 in new grant funding!
While many advances have been made in cancer care there are still many cancers that are hard to diagnose early and to treat effectively and such there is a continuing need for funding for cancer research and diagnostic and treatment development. If you are able, please consider making a donation today to help me reach (and exceed) my fundraising goal. Together, we can help fund improved therapies, better diagnostics and find cancer cures and save lives.
Please consider contributing to this effort.