Velosano 3 Raises More Than $3 Million For Cleveland Clinic Cancer Research

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VeloSano announced yesterday that it has raised $3.37 million to support cancer research at Cleveland Clinic. This past July, nearly 1,600 cyclists from 24 states and two countries rode in the annual fundraising event, pedaling more than 81,000 miles to raise funds for cancer research.

“The participation of VeloSano riders and volunteers in this annual event furthers our ability to provide the best patient care and work toward our ultimate goal of beating cancer,” said Brian J. Bolwell, M.D., FACP, chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Institute. “Funds raised through VeloSano bring sophisticated cancer research to our patients. In 2015 alone, 3,261 patients participated in more than 440 cancer-related clinical trials conducted at Cleveland Clinic, thanks in part to VeloSano.”

The 2016 donation was announced Nov. 22 at the VeloSano Bash: Revealing the Cash celebratory event, presented by The Lerner Foundation, at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.

VeloSano has gained significant momentum in raising money for cancer research at Cleveland Clinic due to the support of its partners, including but not limited to, the Donna and Stewart Kohl Fund, the Cleveland Indians and Jones Day, who have each pledged to support the event for several years to come. Earlier this year, the Donna and Stewart Kohl Fund pledged $1 million to support VeloSano over the next four years.

In addition to thanking the event partners for making VeloSano possible, several event participants were recognized during the Bash, including the top 20 fundraising riders, virtual riders and teams. One of the most coveted honors, the “All-In VeloSano Award,” was presented to John Anderson, Morning Show Anchor at WKYC Channel 3, in recognition of his efforts to support VeloSano both on-air and off while he’s out in the community.

With VeloSano’s support of more than 1,000 volunteers and 60 event partners, every dollar raised by riders and virtual riders directly benefits cancer research at Cleveland Clinic. Funds will be allocated across the Cleveland Clinic enterprise to support the research areas of cancer genomics, immunotherapy and clinical trials.

“This year, more than 21,000 donations were received from all 50 states, DC and 31 countries, more than 5,300 volunteer hours were logged, and nearly 82,000 miles were covered on bikes,” said Stewart A. Kohl, VeloSano founder and co-CEO of The Riverside Company. “Most importantly, collectively we’ve raised more than $8 million over the past three years, and these dollars are being immediately distributed to research being performed right here in Northeast Ohio.”

VeloSano 4 weekend is scheduled for July 21-23, 2017, and will once again be chaired by Paul Dolan, Chairman and CEO of the Cleveland Indians, and John Saada, Partner at Jones Day. Registration will open in January at www.velosano.org.

Since its inception in 1921, Cleveland Clinic has been at the forefront of cancer breakthroughs. Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists have developed new surgical techniques, discovered new treatments and uncovered key information about cancer cells that has resulted in significant changes in the way patients are screened, diagnosed and treated.

Cancer remains one of the most pressing health concerns in the United States. Approximately one in three women and one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Despite these statistics, government funding for cancer research has remained flat in recent years.
 
About VeloSano
Latin for “swift cure,” VeloSano is a major community fundraising initiative in which participants raise money for cancer research through the sport of cycling. Whether you are an avid cyclist, a compassionate crusader, or a spirited fan, you can be a part of the VeloSano family. Thanks to the support and dedication of our corporate partners, every dollar raised by VeloSano participants advances cancer research at Cleveland Clinic. In just three years, VeloSano has generated over $8 million all of which is already hard at work in the fight against cancer. For more information, please visit www.velosano.org.