'Cycle for Survival,' which is one of the fastest growing indoor athletic fundraising events in the country, is coming to Florida next month for the first time in its history and will be held at Equinox Miami in Coral Gables.
"We are so excited that on Feb. 2, Equinox Miami will be participating for the first time in the national 'Cycle for Survival' event that raises money for cancer research. The previous events have been hugely successful, and have helped to raise over $18 million for the cause just since 2007," said Geoff Bagshaw, Equinox's Florida group fitness manager for Florida, who will captain a team he's dubbed "Geoff's Gang."
Each team in the relay style event is made up of four to eight members, with each participant cycling between 30-and-60 minutes. The fun event also will feature massages and other activities. The event is open to the public, and participants do not have to be Equinox members to join.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event will benefit Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), which is the nation's oldest and largest private cancer treatment center.
The event was founded in 2007 by Jennifer Goodman Lynn, when was undergoing treatment at MSKCC. She found that indoor cycling at Equinox made her feel stronger, and was also her perfect refuge from the emotional rigors of cancer treatment. She got together a few friends, they set a five-figure goal and the event was born.
Last year, "Cycle for Survival" attracted 10,000 participants, but it was also the first time that the event was held without its founder, as Goodman Linn had passed away at the after a seven year cancer battle at the age of 40.
The event benefits research in so-called "rare" cancers, such as the sarcoma, or soft tissue cancer, that killed Linn Goodman. However, such cancers aren't rare at all; in fact, they make up 50 percent of all cancers, and include pancreatic, pediatric, ovarian, cervical and brain cancers, as well as cancers that afflict children. Since its inception, "Cycle for Success" has raised money to fund 53 clinical trials and research studies for these types of cancer.
Although Goodman Linn lost her battle, David and her supporters are carrying on the event, and "Cycle for Survival" has grown larger than ever. This year, 13,000 participants are expected to participate in events that will be held in 10 U.S. cities, as well as in Hong Kong, London and Iceland, where satellite events will be held.
More info: Cycle for Survival
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