Connecticut Challenge Cyclists Contribute $265,000 to Yale Cancer Center

April 20, 2009

Connecticut Challenge Cyclists Contribute $265,000 to Yale Cancer Center

The Connecticut Challenge, the largest charity bike rides in Connecticut, generated $265,000 for Yale Cancer Center, which was presented at a ceremony in New Haven on March 30th. The gift represents proceeds from the 4th annual charity bike ride, which took place last July. The funds will be used by Yale Cancer Center to expand services and resources offered by the CT Challenge Survivorship Clinic for adults and the HERO'S Clinic for survivors of childhood cancers, the only such facilities in the State. A portion of the proceeds will also support the 3rd Annual Cancer Survivorship Conference on May 11th and Cancer Survivors Day on June 3rd.

Those in attendance at the check presentation ceremony included Nina Kadan-Lottick, MD, Pediatric Oncologist and the Director of The HERO'S Clinic for Pediatric Cancer Survivors at Yale, Thomas Quinn, APRN, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Yale Cancer Center and Director of the Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Clinic, and several cancer survivors.

"The generosity of the Connecticut Challenge has made it possible to demonstrate that our model of care for survivors really has a significant impact on our participants. It is also helping to make Connecticut a national leader in cancer survivorship programs," said Mr. Quinn.

Dr. Nina Kadan-Lottick commented that the Connecticut Challenge and Yale HERO'S Clinic share the belief that their commitment to children with cancer means optimizing quality of life as well as quantity of life. "With the help of CT Challenge, we have been able to take care of more childhood cancer survivors in Connecticut, expand our patient services, and complete exciting new research studies. We are fortunate to have the CT Challenge organizers and volunteers as our partners as we strive to improve outcomes for all current and future cancer patients," said Dr. Kadan-Lottick.

This year the Connecticut Challenge celebrates its fifth anniversary ride on July 25th. The ride will begin and end at the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church Green in Fairfield, CT. People interested in learning more about how to ride, volunteer, or contribute to the Connecticut Challenge are encouraged to visit www.ctchallenge.org.

"We are especially excited this year to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the ride. The passionate support of our cyclists and volunteers has allowed us to improve survivorship services at Yale Cancer Center, which are available to cancer survivors throughout Connecticut regardless of where they received treatment," said Connecticut Challenge Executive Director Robert Mazzone.

About the Connecticut Challenge
The Connecticut Challenge is a non-competitive bike ride for people of all ages and skill levels. The ride raises money for the Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Clinic for adults and the HERO'S Clinic for survivors of childhood cancers at Yale Cancer Center. Jeff Keith of Fairfield and John Ragland of Westport founded the Connecticut Challenge. The 2009 ride is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th.

About Yale Cancer Center
Established in 1974, Yale Cancer Center was one of the first university-based comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. Today, it is one of a select network of only 40 in the United States, and the only one in southern New England.

The Center harnesses the scientific resources of Yale University School of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, and Yale University. Led by Dr. Thomas J. Lynch, Jr., a lung cancer expert, Yale Cancer Center focuses on translational research, an approach through which laboratory discoveries are quickly and efficiently integrated with clinical patient care. For more information visit www.yalecancercenter.org.

Emily Fenton

Yale Cancer Center

203-436-8549

emily.fenton@yale.edu