Rep. Hwang Supports and Rides in CT Challenge®, Working to Assist Cancer Survivors
Rep. Tony Hwang with Jeff Keith and Bob Mazzone of the CT Challenge.
On Saturday, July 24th, the 6th Anniversary of the Connecticut Challenge bike ride will be held to benefit cancer survivors. State Representative Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) will be on hand to support the event with a citation of recognition from Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the legislative General Assembly and ride as a participant as well.
“The Connecticut Challenge is a special event run by a passionate group of caring and dedicated volunteers,” said Rep. Hwang. “Most people know someone who has been stricken with cancer. Most of the focus of a patient and family rightly goes to combating the disease and surviving it. Once someone has achieved that heroic victory over the disease, there are a number of after-effects that need to be considered. That is where the Connecticut Challenge comes in – it serves to support and educate cancer survivors on living life to its’ fullest. I urge everyone who can to come out for this bike ride Saturday, even if you cannot ride, just come out and support the cause. You truly can make a difference.”
“Our riders have raised close to $3 million since 2005, which has allowed us to improve the care of Connecticut’s 120,000 cancer survivors,” said co-founder, Jeff Keith of Fairfield. “We all know people who have battled cancer with incredible courage. What we don’t often see is how these survivors may continue to struggle with the long-term effects of their disease and their treatments. By helping us raise money to improve survivorship programs across Connecticut, our riders, volunteers and donors are making a very direct, positive impact on the cancer survivors in their lives.”
“We’re expecting over 700 riders from 65 communities in CT and 12 other states, up over 50% from 2009,” said Bob Mazzone, Executive Director of the CT Challenge. “This tells us that the message of the Connecticut Challenge about the critical need for support services for cancer survivors is being heard across the state. All of these committed people are training hard and raising money and all of this money stays right here in Connecticut to help the 120,000 cancer survivors in our state. We are looking forward to a fun, emotional and memorable day on Saturday.”
The Connecticut Challenge funded the first adult survivorship clinic in the state in 2006 at Yale Cancer Center. Since that time, the organization has formed the Connecticut Challenge Survivorship Network, through which it hopes to work with every hospital across the state to offer comprehensive care for cancer survivors as they complete their treatments. The goal of the Survivorship Network is to offer these special resources to cancer survivors no matter where they live in the state. Proceeds from the 2010 ride will support the continued development of the Survivorship network as well as educational events for survivors and medical professionals.
About the Connecticut Challenge
The Connecticut Challenge was founded in 2005 to address the staggering lack of resources available to help cancer survivors after completion of their treatments. Since then, the CT Challenge has supported cancer survivorship programs at several hospitals and community support organizations across the state, including Yale Cancer Center in New Haven, CT Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, UConn Health Center in Farmington, St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Bennett Cancer Center in Stamford, Leever Cancer Center in Waterbury, Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam and Ann’s Place in Danbury. The goal is to work closely with every hospital in state to bring support to Connecticut’s 120,000 cancer survivors, no matter where they live. Learn more at www.ctchallenge.org.
The Connecticut Challenge raises most of its funding through the annual CT Challenge charity bike ride. The Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, July 24th, with an emotional opening ceremony recognizing cancer survivor participants, starting at 7:30 AM. Greenfield Hill Congregational Church located on 1045 Old Academy Road, Fairfield will host the start and finish of the bike ride. Bike riders of all ages and skill levels can register for a 12, 25, 50, 75 or 100-mile ride and raise funds from personal sponsors to support their efforts. To learn more about riding, volunteering or donating to the 2010 event, please visit http:/bike.ctchallenge.org/
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