BICYCLISTS TAKE ON CANCER
Cyclists are riding in the first Lobo Cancer Challenge to raise money for research and treatment.
For Sandy Gold, UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center’s inaugural Lobo Cancer Challenge on Sept. 23 is personal. As an avid cyclist who has had melanoma and breast cancer, Gold will ride 50 miles to support New Mexicans facing cancer. “Being able to share information about the amazing work they are doing at the CCC is very important to me,” Gold said. “I used to think that the ‘cancer industry’ was not that interested in finding a cure. I now know that’s not the case.”
Rae Ann Paden, chief administrative officer with the cancer center, says ride organizers know that the event may be a personal experience for everyone involved.
“Nearly everyone has been touched by cancer in some way,” she said. “We know this is a very emotional thing — to be riding in honor of someone who has passed or someone who is going through cancer treatment — so we designed all aspects of the ride in a way that honors that.”
For example, all distances of the ride (25-, 50- and 100-mile routes) will launch from Dreamstyle Stadium. On site will be a board where riders can write the name of someone they are riding for.
There will also be acknowledgment and support for riders at each of the 10 rest stops along the way (as well as food and drink).
“We have businesses and organizations with representatives along the route to encourage and thank the riders,” Praden said.
She said everything from the routes to the aid stations have been designed with the rider experience in mind.
“We want everyone to be able to come out, have a great day and know that they are supporting an area of cancer treatment or research that means something to them,” she said.
She said organizers want the ride to be a fun, safe celebration.
All proceeds raised from the ride will directly support cancer treatment, research, clinical trials and education, and riders can select specific programs for which they’d like the money they raise to be used. When riders sign up, they are able to choose where their fundraising efforts will go.
“This is a bit unique in the fundraising world in that we have sponsors to underwrite the event itself. That allows 100 percent of the rider-raised money to go to the cancer center programs and research,” Paden said.
Gold hopes that more people in the community will use the ride to become more familiar with the cancer center and the work they are doing. “The CCC is a top facility—one that the state should be proud of.”
The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius. Its 125 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty and have provided cancer care for nearly 60 percent of the adults and children in New Mexico affected by cancer.