BUFFALO, NY —The Ride For Roswell, the single largest fundraising event in Western New York and North America’s largest single-day cycling fundraiser, concluded its 21st year this weekend by raising a total of $4.5 million for cancer research and patient-care programs at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI).

Ride Weekend involved more than 10,000 riders, volunteers and countless other supporters. In 1996, the first Ride For Roswell had 1,000 riders who raised just over $100,000. Over the past 21 years, The Ride has raised $38 million for Roswell Park Cancer Institute, and more than 100,000 riders and volunteers have participated in the event.

“The money raised by The Ride over the past 21 years has allowed Roswell Park to make lifesaving advances in many areas of cancer research at Roswell Park, including personalized medicine, cancer vaccines and immunotherapy. The funds that our participants raised this year will allow us to make even more progress, and will also help provide compassionate care programs for the 32,000 patients who turn to us for hope every year,” said Candace Johnson, PhD, RPCI President and CEO. “This incredible event gives our community an opportunity to come together as one in the fight against cancer. At Roswell Park no one fights cancer alone, and we are so grateful for every dollar donated, every mile pedaled and every minute volunteered that help give hope to those fighting.”

The weekend began on Friday with the Peloton, a 12-mile route from Roswell Park to University at Buffalo (UB) that is reserved for top fundraisers. The 200 Peloton riders each raised more than $1,000 and passed a qualifying ride in order to participate. Before departing, the riders stood outside of RPCI with personal notes from current patients in their hands while reaching up to the hospital windows in a salute to cancer patients who were looking out. The Peloton riders then rode in two-by-two formation from RPCI through the City of Buffalo and into Celebration Village on the UB campus as part of The Ride For Roswell’s Celebration of Hope.

The Celebration of Hope, a community-wide rally against cancer, included family-friendly activities and live entertainment, opportunities to engage with RPCI doctors, faculty and staff who demonstrated how funds raised by The Ride help fuel cancer research at the Institute and an inspirational and emotional stage program featuring the arrival of the Peloton and an Olympics-style procession of cancer advocates, researchers and survivors.

On Saturday, The Ride included cyclists of all ages and abilities on routes ranging from 3 to 102 miles, including two, 44-mile international routes through Canada and a new Olmsted Route, which departed from the Roswell Park start line and traveled along Frederick Law Olmsted’s famed parkways with a rest stop at the historic H.H. Richardson Center.

About The Ride For Roswell

The Ride For Roswell, the single largest fundraising event in Western New York and North America’s largest single-day cycling event, benefits research and patient-care programs at RPCI. In 1996, the first Ride For Roswell had 1,000 riders who raised just over $100,000. The Ride has raised $38 million for Roswell Park Cancer Institute over the past 21 years.