Cancer Research Institute Hosts Answer To Cancer Cycling Event

The Cancer Research Institute (CRI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding scientific research leading to lifesaving cancer immunotherapy treatments, will host a one-day, multi-distance “Answer to Cancer” cycling event sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb on June 25, 2016. Riders of every experience level can choose one of three routes through the Lower Hudson Valley’s breathtaking landscape. One-hundred percent of the money riders raise will go to support CRI-funded laboratory and clinical research that aims to increase the effectiveness of immunotherapy in treating more types of cancer.

Cyclists can select from 25, 50, and 100-mile course options starting and finishing in Highland Falls, NY, traveling through the historic U.S. Military Academy at West Point and along the panoramic Storm King Highway with its sweeping vistas of the Hudson River before heading west into the Lower Hudson Valley. Though not a competitive race, riders will have the option to participate in discreet “King/Queen of the Mountain” timed challenges along their route, either as individuals or as teams.

The A2C cycling event is the signature grassroots fundraising initiative for CRI’s Cancer Immunotherapy Month. Cancer Immunotherapy Month takes place annually in the month of June and is the cornerstone of the CRI’s Campaign to White Out Cancer. During Cancer Immunotherapy Month, CRI organizes a series of educational, fundraising, and online events—all designed to raise awareness and critical funds for scientific research.

“The Cancer Research Institute hopes this ride will become an annual event for the region and that together we can make incredible strides toward finding a cure for this terrible disease, so events like this are no longer needed,” said Jill O’Donnell-Tormey, PhD, CEO and director of scientific affairs at the Cancer Research Institute.

Immunotherapy is a new and powerful approach to treating cancer that works by harnessing the immune system’s innate power to eliminate cancer. This breakthrough in cancer treatment has received considerable recent media attention, most notably former U.S. president Jimmy Carter’s successful treatment with immunotherapy. The FDA has approved several immunotherapies for melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer. More treatments are in development and have the potential to help patients with many others kinds of cancer.

“Immunotherapy is gaining real momentum, but there’s an urgent need to support more research so that all cancer patients can benefit,” O’Donnell-Tormey added.

“Bristol-Myers Squibb is a proud supporter of CRI’s Answer to Cancer cycling event to raise critical funds for cutting-edge cancer immunotherapy research,” said Chris Boerner, head of U.S. commercial at Bristol-Myers Squibb, the event’s title sponsor. “Like CRI, we at BMS are committed to advancing research in immuno-oncology and making treatment with immunotherapy available to more people with cancer.”

“The Highland Falls community is honored to host CRI’s Answer to Cancer, an important event that stands to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients,” said Patrick Flynn, mayor of Highland Falls. “We love to support these kinds of charitable events because it’s a way we can give back to good causes.”

Cycling enthusiasts will have the opportunity to ride with professional cyclists from the Holowesko / Citadel Racing Team, founded by former pro cyclist George Hincapie, whose company, Hincapie Sportswear, is a sponsor of CRI’s Answer to Cancer ride.

“I am proud to lend my support to CRI’s Answer to Cancer ride,” said George Hincapie. “I was inspired by these roads early in my career growing up in New York, and it is my hope they can also serve as inspiration in the fight to cure cancer.”

For additional information on the Answer to Cancer or to register as a rider, virtual rider, or volunteer, go to www.a2c.org. Riders can easily create personalized fundraising pages as well as find tips on training and fundraising.

In addition to title sponsorship from Bristol-Myers Squibb, the Answer To Cancer cycling event enjoys the support of the following sponsors: Agenus Inc., Basin Holdings (for “King/Queen of the Mountain”), Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC , Debevoise and Plimpton, LLP, Finish Line Physical Therapy, Health Warrior, Hincapie Sportswear, Team Holowesko / Citadel, Hudson Valley Harvest, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Nestle Waters North America, Reynolds Cycling, The Sweat Life, Tailwind Endurance, and USA Cycling.