Cycle For Survival Raises A Record-Breaking $34 Million In One Year To Beat Rare Cancers

NEW YORK, April 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cycle for Survival, the movement to beat rare cancers, raised $34 million in 2017 through its indoor team cycling events — the most raised in a single year in the history of the movement. Cycle for Survival's overall fundraising total since it started in 2007 is $140 million, of which $110 million was raised in the past four years. 100 percent of every dollar is allocated within six months to groundbreaking rare cancer research and clinical trials led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which owns and operates Cycle for Survival.

Cycle for Survival's events were held in 16 cities across the country, each with rides led by world-class instructors from Equinox, the founding partner of the movement. In 2017, events took place in February and March in Boston; Bethesda, Md.; Chicago; Dallas; Greenwich, Conn.; Huntington Beach, Calif.; Long Island, N.Y.; Los Angeles; Miami; New York; Palo Alto, Calif.; Paramus, N.J.; San Francisco; Seattle; Summit, N.J.; and Washington, D.C.

Sponsors contributed greatly to the events: smartwater^® is the official hydration sponsor, New Balance is the official apparel sponsor and ICAP donates annually with a generous fundraising match.

Reaching significant fundraising milestones year after year, Cycle for Survival continues to earn recognition as the fastest-growing athletic fundraising event in the country.* Other record-breaking statistics this year include:

• More than 31,000 participants — including rare cancer survivors, patients, doctors, researchers, caregivers and supporters — rode in 2017.
• More than 200,000 individuals donated to support the cause.
• Corporate participation grew with more than 800 company teams involved; dedicated events were held for the finance, media and real estate industries.

Participants this year included Michael and Kevin Bacon of musical group The Bacon Brothers; Victor Cruz, NFL wide receiver; Alysia Reiner, actress; David Basche, actor; Mena Suvari, actress; A.C. Green, former NBA player; Bart Scott, CBS Sports NFL analyst and former NFL player; Shannon Miller, seven-time Olympic medalist; and more.

The Cycle for Survival community is dedicated to supporting innovative research that is changing the way cancer is diagnosed and treated. About half of all Americans with cancer have rare forms of the disease, which include brain, ovarian, pancreatic, leukemia, lymphoma, all pediatric cancers and many others. Rare cancer research is typically underfunded — often leaving patients with few or no proven treatment options. As doctors and researchers pursue new treatments, Cycle for Survival provides urgently needed funding. To read about research breakthroughs made possible because of Cycle for Survival funding, go to www.cycleforsurvival.org/what-you-fund.

Visit www.cycleforsurvival.org to learn more about Cycle for Survival.

*Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum, 2016 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Top 30 Ranked by Gross Revenue

QUOTES
DR. CRAIG B. THOMPSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF MEMORIAL SLOANKETTERING CANCER CENTER 
"In the past eleven years, Cycle for Survival has raised $140 million to benefit rare cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering. These funds are fueling vital scientific breakthroughs for the benefit of patients here and around the world, and all of us here at Memorial Sloan Kettering are profoundly grateful to the participants and donors for their generosity and their commitment to making a difference."

SCOTT ROSEN, PRESIDENT AND COO OF EQUINOX 
"As Cycle for Survival's founding partner, Equinox is extremely proud of our commitment to hosting these events at our clubs each year. The energy and dedication from the Equinox team is tremendous. Cycle for Survival expanded to 16 cities and Equinox went all-in to help raise $34 million, making it the best year yet."

MORE INFORMATION
About Cycle for Survival
Join the Battle. Cycle for Survival is the movement to beat rare cancers. Since 2007, Cycle for Survival has raised $140 million through its signature indoor team cycling events across the United States to help fund pioneering rare cancer research led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which owns and operates Cycle for Survival. 100 percent of every donation funds rare cancer research. About half of all cancer patients are fighting a rare cancer, and they often face limited or no treatment options. Together with the movement's founding partner, Equinox, Cycle for Survival has supported innovative clinical trials, research studies, and major research initiatives. For a list of events, research updates, and additional information, visit https://www.cycleforsurvival.org and follow Cycle for Survival on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. 

About Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK)—the world's oldest and largest private cancer center—has devoted more than 130 years to exceptional patient care, innovative research, and outstanding educational programs. Today, it is one of 69 National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, with state-of-the-art science flourishing side by side with clinical studies and treatment. The close collaboration between MSK's physicians and scientists is one of its unique strengths, enabling it to provide patients with the best care available as researchers work to discover more effective strategies to prevent, control, and ultimately cure cancer. MSK's education programs train future physicians and scientists, and the knowledge and experience they gain has an impact on cancer treatment and biomedical research around the world.

About Equinox
Equinox operates 86 upscale, full-service clubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Boston, Texas and Washington, DC, as well as international locations in London and Toronto. The company offers an integrated selection of Equinox-branded programs, services and products, including strength and cardio training, studio classes, personal training, spa services and products, apparel and food/juice bars. Equinox's hotel properties will cater exclusively to the high performance traveler and will fuse luxury and wellness to serve as the ultimate hotel destination with a 360-degree lifestyle experience. Offering the bespoke experiences and unparalleled services consumers have come to expect from Equinox over its 25-year history, Equinox's hospitality brand will grow to 50 worldwide locations. Since its inception in 1991, Equinox has developed a lifestyle brand that represents service, value, quality, expertise, innovation, attention to detail, market leadership and results.

IT'S NOT FITNESS. IT'S LIFE.

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SOURCE Cycle for Survival