Bikes, Beers, and One Cause to Cure All Cancers

The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Associate Board hosted the “Bikes and Beers” event at SWERVE Fitness Flatiron on Tuesday, June 26 to benefit CRI. 48 cyclists, including board members, friends and family of board members, and other friends of CRI, came together for the cycling studio fundraiser. Trent Kososki, chairman of the CRI Associate Board and principal at Energy Capital Partners, led the effort in organizing the event.

Participants were split into three teams: Team Red, Team Green, and Team Blue. Cyclists sweated through an intense 45-minute class, enduring sprints, hills, and upper body exercises designed for a full-body workout. Progress was tracked through a “SWERVE Score,” which was shown on scoreboards in the studio for teams to compare themselves against their competition. Each team’s SWERVE Score was measured by individual member’s power outage, based on their bike’s level of resistance combined with how quickly the individual cycles. Team members’ power outages were averaged to produce the overall team SWERVE Score.

"Bikes and Beers” cyclists ride together for a future immune to cancer

After a competitive ride, the results were in: Team Red ended the challenge with the highest SWERVE Score with a total of 558, with Team Green placing second with a score of 457 and Team Blue coming in close with a score of 430. Congratulations to each cyclist for their great accomplishments!

During the reception following the workout, cyclists socialized over smoothies, cold beers, and light bites. CRI's chief executive officer and director of scientific affairs, Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, made remarks along with Trent Kososki congratulating the cyclists and thanking the Associate Board for their dedication to supporting cancer immunotherapy research.

Jill O’Donnell-Tormey makes a few remarks after the cycling class

We are delighted to announce that the event has exceeded the fundraising goal and raised over $87,000 so far for cancer immunotherapy research, which will be matched by our spring campaign for an impressive total of over $174,000! CRI would like to give special recognition to the largest event fundraiser, Andrew Goldman, for bringing in over $60,000 in donations. We would also like to thank our Associate Board for fundraising and participating. Support from this event brings us closer to a future immune to cancer!