Philadelphia’s a Ride to Conquer Cancer

(PHILADELPHIA, PA – January 28, 2014) – Philadelphia’s first annual Ride to Conquer Cancer launched on Tuesday to raise vital funds for the cancer programs at Penn Medicine.  Funds raised will be used immediately to support breakthrough cancer research, education and patient care programs at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center.

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce our first annual Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center,” said Chi Van Dang, MD, PhD, director of the Abramson Cancer Center.

“This year there will be nearly 80,000 cancer diagnoses in Pennsylvania and it’s estimated that one in four deaths in the United States will be caused by cancer.  At the Abramson Cancer Center, we are dedicated to reducing cancer incidence, mortality and morbidity in the community while training future cancer researchers and improving our ability to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.  The funds raised through The Ride will be put to use immediately to power our breakthrough cancer research, and world-class education and patient care programs right here in Philadelphia,” said Dr. Dang.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer will be a two-day, 150 mile cycling event through Pennsylvania’s picturesque countryside with an overnight camp midway where participants will enjoy pre-set tents, hot meals, showers, live entertainment, massages and other festive activities.  The Ride start and finish will be held on October 11^th and 12^th of this year, and pit stops with fresh food, beverages and public cheer stations will be set up along the route to support Riders as they pass through local communities.

“I was recently diagnosed with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor that is so rare, there is not yet a cure,” said Susan Ranck of Springfield, who registered and plans to ride in October.

“I am beyond grateful that funding from research enabled scientists to discover a drug that enables me to at least control my cancer.  Not so long ago, GIST cancer was a practical death sentence, and now there are drug options to offset this terrible disease.  I am here today thanks to research and breakthrough discoveries, so when I learned The Ride is coming to Pennsylvania, I registered immediately. I am excited to ride and it’s my hope that with more time and money, the researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center will find a cure for my disease and all forms of cancer,” Ranck added.

Dr. Dang said The Ride is a cycling event for everyone and urged people in the Philadelphia region to register, donate or request information by calling (844) 777-7433 or by visitingwww.ridetovictory.org.

“This event will be remarkable and will bring together communities of cancer survivors, cyclists and their supporters with a common goal to conquer this disease,” said Dr. Dang.  We invite everyone to join us in October by registering today at www.ridetovictory.org or by calling (844) 777-7433,” Dr. Dang added.

To register, donate or request information about The Ride to Conquer Cancer, visitwww.ridetovictory.org or call (844) 777-7433.