Connecticut Challenge Contributes $265,000 to Yale Cancer Center
For Immediate Release
Date: 04/08/09
Contact: Bob Mazzone 203-353-7690
Emily Fenton 203-436-8549, or emily.fenton@yale.edu
New Haven, Conn. — Robert Mazzone, Executive Director of the Connecticut Challenge, presented a gift of $265,000 to Yale Cancer Center during a ceremony held in New Haven. The gift is from proceeds from the 4th annual charity bike ride. The funds are being 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 and two of just a handful in the nation. A portion of the proceeds will also go to support Yale Cancer Center’s Cancer Survivors Day to be held on June 3rd and the 3rd Annual Cancer Survivorship Conference on May 11th.
Those in attendance at the ceremony included Nina Kadan-Lottick, MD, Pediatric Oncologist and the Director of the HEROS 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 at Yale Cancer Center, and several cancer survivors.
“Connecticut Challenge and Yale HEROS Clinic share the belief that our 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.
In just its fourth year, the bike ride saw exciting increases in the number and types of riders in the Connecticut Challenge. There were 429 riders in 2008, coming from 11 states. In turn, those riders reached out to over 5,400 personal donors to raise more than $673,000. “The Connecticut Challenge is honored to support Yale Cancer Center. Today, Connecticut is among the very few states with any comprehensive programs dedicated to the needs of cancer survivors. 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 the care of Connecticut’s 120,000 cancer survivors,” 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. The Connecticut Challenge was founded by Jeff Keith of Fairfield and John Ragland of Westport. The 2008 event took place on July 26th. 429 riders registered for a 12, 25, 50 or 100-mile ride and raised funds from personal sponsors to support their ride. The 2009 ride is scheduled for Saturday, July 25th. People interested in learning more about how to ride, volunteer or contribute to the Connecticut Challenge are encouraged to visit www.ctchallenge.org.
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.