Ride Cincinnati Cycling Event Benefits Local Breast Cancer Research

CINCINNATI—Ride Cincinnati, a local nonprofit organization, has announced that the Barrett Cancer Center at the University of Cincinnati (UC) will be the beneficiary of funds raised from its first cycling event, known by the same name.

The family-friendly race takes place Sunday, June 10, at Yeatman’s Cove/Sawyer Point and is open to people of all ages. All proceeds from the event will support breast cancer clinical, translational and basic research programs conducted by UC researchers.

Ride Cincinnati was founded by Harvey Harris, DDS, Ronald Stern and Craig Cowit, three Cincinnati men whose families have been touched by breast cancer. The event is dedicated to the life of Marlene Harris and all women who have been affected by breast cancer.

“Marlene lived her life to the fullest, regardless of the constant struggles with this insidious disease,” says Harris, whose late wife inspired the event. “Through her 15 years of fighting breast cancer, she remained dedicated to helping find a cure through research.”

“It’s because of her strength, love and positive impact on the people around her that we want to keep her spirit alive by continuing the fight to eradicate breast cancer once and for all,” adds Allison Gordon, the Harrises’ daughter and a two-time breast cancer survivor. “Ride Cincinnati is our tribute to her and continues her wishes of supporting breast cancer research.”

Ride Cincinnati cyclists and families can choose to ride 10, 25, 40 or 62 miles, with all but the 62-mile ride starting at 9 a.m. The 62-mile ride will begin at 7:30 a.m., but all race routes start at Yeatman’s Cove. Kids can participate in the Kids Bike Rally, starting at 10 a.m., and travel over the Purple People Bridge. After the Kids Bike Rally, each child will receive a participation medal and take part in free celebration activities including balloon artists, magicians, a jump house, goodie bags, food and music.

Registration can be made in advance of race day for $30 by calling Kelly Weissmann at (513) 347-3255 or at http://www.ridecincinnati.org. “Day-of” registrations will also be accepted for $35. All riders will get a T-shirt and pink helmet cover for participating.

“Cancer is a problem that we must address as a community if we’re going to make progress against it,” said David Stern, MD, interim director of the Barrett Cancer Center at UC and dean of the College of Medicine. “Community support from events like Ride Cincinnati provides important funding that allows local researchers to continue their work and improve our understanding of breast cancer.”

The Barrett Cancer Center at UC is a research-based, patient-care-oriented program that encompasses scientists and physicians from diverse disciplines and medical specialties within the UC Academic Health Center—which includes Cincinnati VA Medical Center, the Genome Research Institute, University Hospital and the Vontz Center for Molecular Studies—and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.