"Out For Blood" team members put on their helmets, sported various colorful jerseys, and turned out in force at the North Shore Century Bike Ride. Our riders started at different times (from 6 a.m. to noon), rode various distances (10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles, 62 miles, 70 miles, and 100 miles), and took different, scenic routes. Their experience and passion for bike riding varied considerably -- from seasoned riders on the clock (such as Ray LeBrec who was one of the first riders on the course and one of the first riders to complete the century) to families out for a leisurely Sunday ride such as the Strickland family (who came in from Indiana to participate and raise money for cancer research). Some were survivors (like James Cunningham and Michael Werner), some lost family members to blood cancer (like Josh Dreyfus who lost both of his parents to blood cancer), and others (like Jamie Sraga who rode 20 miles in the morning and played soccer later in the afternoon) just understand that research makes a difference and everyone can do something to help win the war on cancer. All "Out For Blood" team members were determination to pedal to cure lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. Even lawyers (like Joe Studer and Brett Heinrich) put down their brief cases, rode, and raised money for this worthwhile cause.
The bright Sunday sunshine and beautiful weather served as a strong omen that the "Out For Blood" team had important support from up above as it began its charge to cure cancer blood cancer and help those battling the under publicized and indiscriminate killers collectively known as blood cancer. The riders also had some backup support from an unlikely source "Virtual Vampires." These are people who did not come out and ride, but participated by forming on-line teams and raising money for cancer research.
Neal Ney, Chairman of the North Shore Century said "we were pleased that Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation's Out for Blood team participated in the North Shore Century. It was great to have them riding and raising money for a wonderful cause."
Proceeds from the ride will support blood cancer research at leading Chicago area medical research institutions: Rush University Medical Center; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University; and Children's Memorial Hospital. Chicago is fortunate to have leading treatment and research institutions that provide world-class care to people impacted by blood cancer and are committed on all levels to curing blood cancers. Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation fosters collaboration among the leading institutions because, when leading institutions engage in collaborate research projects and educational efforts, patients benefit and the rate of advancements is accelerated," according to the foundation's CEO and co-founder Charlene McMann.
Taking the lead in working collaboratively to cure blood cancers, the "Rush Riders" comprised of Rush University Medical Center nurses such as team captain Terri O'Brien and other employees such as Susan Frick made their presence felt. Physicians, led by Dr. Stephanie Gregory, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Section of Hematology at Rush, were on hand to support the cause and to raise money and awareness.
The humanomics of blood cancer are extraordinary. Every 4 minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer and every 10 minutes someone dies from blood cancer. It is estimated that more than 137,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with blood cancer and more than 54,000 will die this year. Leukemia causes more deaths in children than any other cancer and lymphoma is the third most common cancer of childhood. Over 900,000 Americans are living with blood cancer. The rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma have nearly doubled since the 1970s. The keys to beating blood cancer include: knowledge, awareness, and early diagnoses; education to obtain the best doctors and the best treatments (conventional therapies and clinical trials) available; and research!
The good news is that the "Out For Blood" Team is fighting back to raise awareness and funding for research is making a difference in more effective, less toxic treatments! Yes the first event was a bike ride, but the "Out For Blood" Team's commitment to curing blood cancer will lead it to participate in other events such as walks, runs, dinners, and vampires night out.
Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation believes that blood cancer research is the superhighway to curing cancer. The evidence of history shows that blood cancer research has provided the biggest bang for our research dollars and has resulted in important advances that also impact other cancers and diseases. If you would like to join the "Out For Blood" Team or host a fundraiser, contact the Chicago Blood Cancer Foundation and join us on the superhighway to curing cancer. If you would like to contribute to our initial fundraising effort, you can donate or form a "Virtual Vampire" team on line. "Out For Blood" and "Virtual Vampire" team members have until December 31, 2010 to raise $350 and qualify to receive the coveted "Out For Blood" jersey!
Congratulations and thanks to all of the determined riders, generous donors, compassionate sponsors, visionary media partners, and wonderful volunteers who contributed to the success of the "Out For Blood" bike ride. Thanks to the Evanston Bike Club and the North Shore Century for extending their hospitality to us.
