Announcing the Official Launch of Spin4Survival 2008
The launch of Spin4Survival 2008 has arrived!
I am THRILLED to announce that we have officially launched Spin4Survival 2008!
Spin4survival.org is now open for business....accepting teams, riders and donations. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! On Sunday, January 27th, 2008 teams will participate in locations throughout the world to raise money in an effort to eradicate cancer.
For those of you who are not aware, Spin4Survival is an indoor cycling event that Dave and I created last year to raise money for essential cancer research and important cancer survivorship initiatives. The inaugural event was unbelievable - we raised more than $200,000! Memories of the day often carry me through the tough times I've had over the past year.
This event is really a loving tribute to my extended "family" at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Dave and I developed Spin4Survival largely because we are so grateful and appreciative of the entire staff who treated me throughout the past three years, and who will continue to care for me in the uncertain years ahead.
While I was going through treatment, I vowed that if I were lucky enough to beat cancer, I would create an entity that would thank them for all of the time, effort and concern they invested in me. I am so grateful that I can make good on that promise. Even after 3 years of battling the disease, the doctors and nurses of MKSCC continue to fight on my behalf to find the best treatment for me.
Spin4Survival will challenge and reward your mind, body and soul. It is a celebration of strength, courage, vitality and endurance in the face of adversity. 100% of the funds raised through Spin4Survival will go directly towards cancer research and cancer survivorship programs at the world's leading institution for cancer care - Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. And rest assured, this money is put to use right away. A portion of the money raised just last year, was used to fund a trial that has directly influenced my current chemo regimen!
Additions from Last Year - for those of you who participated last year, expect even more fun this time around!
- More Bikes - This year, we will be hosting 2 rides so that we can double the amount of bikes and participants.
- More Prizes - everyone loved the prizes so there will be even more this year! We have just started planning but in addition to t-shirts and water bottles for everyone, we will be getting goodies from local favorites like Jamba Juice, Cold Stone Creamery, LuLuLemon and more! We will also be giving away tickets for the hottest shows in town!
- More Help - Memorial Sloan Kettering has offered to help me with this year's event. This is a great relief as surgery and weekly chemotherapy treatments make it hard for me to be as focused as I was last year! Katie Kotkins ( kotkinsk@mskcc.org ) is helping me with the event this year and please feel free to email either myself or Katie with any questions you might have.
- Virtual Teams - Now, even if you don't live in NYC, you can still participate in Spin4Survival. Get a group of friends together and ride indoors or outdoors to raise money for MSKCC cancer research. Now, all of my "out of town" friends have no excuses!
- Fundraise - By far, the BEST thing you can do is to help build awareness and fundraise for the event. Whether it's creating a team or spreading the word and encouraging people to donate to the event, we would appreciate any and all help we can get.
- Advertise - print out the poster on Spin4survival.org and hang it up at your local gym. Ask myself or Katie to send you postcards advertising the event. Send an email to your friends and family or that person you know who is either touched by cancer or loves to cycle.
- Volunteer - If you are available to help set up or clean up on the 27th, please let us know
- Donate Services - We would greatly appreciate any leads you might have in terms of (1) fun prizes or (2) potential food and/or beverage donations