Some 375 cyclists raised over $135,000 for the fight against cancers in adolescents and young adults during the 6th Annual Reid’s Ride Bike-a-thon on Sunday, July 18. Reid’s Ride is a 28-mile Bike-a-thon where cyclists of all ages and abilities pedal their way from Lynnfield to Cape Ann. The ride is the primary fund-raising event for the Reid Sacco Memorial Foundation.

Lorraine Sacco, Director of Reid’s Ride, remarked, “I’m overwhelmed by the results of this year’s event, on all fronts. Not only did the numbers of riders and donors once again significantly exceed those of the previous year, but the number of individuals wanting to volunteer and help with the event also increased. This year more than 150 people volunteered and helped support this event in a number of ways. The mission of Reid’s Ride is becoming its own messenger, and is reaching more and more people and is resonating with them. For me, that’s among one of the most important emotional rewards of holding this event.”

On Saturday, July 17th, members of the Jennifer Hunter Yates Sarcoma Foundation (JHYSF) and participants from the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center walked for sarcoma awareness in the Team Sarcoma Initiative. It was about 90 degrees as almost 40 folks set off from the Yawkey Center at Massachusetts General Hospital to participate in the event. Walking along the Freedom Trail was extremely hot, but as one participant said, “Cancer doesn’t take a break just because it is hot.” Our walkers included doctors and nurses from MGH’s sarcoma team, patients, their families and friends. These events are important as they allow patients to connect with one another as well as raise awareness.

We will start with a 60 miles ride from Brookline to Wrentham and back to Brookline and a reception for the riders will follow. We expect about 10 riders in the ride and 20 in the reception.

• For information,  please contact: Yosef Landesman, PhD

This was the 5th year of the Reid’s Ride Bike-a-thon. There were more than 340 riders and 150 volunteers at the event, which raised $90,000 for the Reid Sacco Memorial Cancer Research Fund. The event is named for Reid Sacco, who lost his battle to sarcoma in April 2005 at age 20, and it is the primary fund-raising event to benefit the Reid Sacco Memorial Cancer Research Fund. That Fund sponsors programs aimed at finding better treatments – and someday a cure – for sarcoma and other cancers striking adolescents and young adults.

The moderately challenging route journeyed 28 miles along suburban and small-town roads, at the rider’s own pace, from Lynnfield High School to Stage Fort Park situated on the Gloucester shoreline, where riders, volunteers, and supporters were treated to a barbeque luncheon, music, and prizes.

Guest speaker, Dr. Michael Isakoff from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, was on hand to thank the riders. The Fund’s support is allowing his Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Program to open additional multi-center clinical trials in sarcoma in this age group (15-44).  Few sarcoma patients in this age group have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials, taking away some of their treatment opportunities as well as stunting the potential to find better treatments for them.

On Saturday, July 18, 2009 members of the Jennifer Hunter Yates Sarcoma Foundation (JHYSF) walked for Sarcoma Awareness as a part of the Team Sarcoma Initiative. The group of 40 adults and children consisted of doctors, patients, survivors, families and friends. Our goal was to help raise awareness among the general public, as well as allowing those impacted by Sarcoma to meet, talk and connect with each other.

We began by assembling in the lobby of Massachusetts General Hospital. We handed out signs to hold along our walk, and put on our “Sarcoma Knows No Borders” bracelets and JHYSF t-shirts (yellow for survivors). We then proceeded to walk the freedom trail in Boston.

We were definitely noticed! Along the route, by-standers would ask us what is Sarcoma and we would stop to talk to them about this rare cancer. That, in itself, made our walk successful. The walk also allowed us time to talk to familiar faces and get to know those who have recently been impacted by Sarcoma. New survivors were able to connect with other survivors and/or families. Pictures were taken throughout the walk.

Three miles and almost two hours later, we were hot but happy to have been given the chance to spread Sarcoma Awareness.

Fifty-two sarcoma awareness supporters and survivors met with 11 year-old Carly Laverty and her family on July 19th in Attleboro, MA. Carly, a 6 yr survivor of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, and her family are dedicated to bringing sarcoma awareness to the general public and the general practitioner. Several members of ACOR’s online liposarcoma group attended the event and shared their sarcoma journeys.

Elizabeth L. Stroebel, PhD, BCIA, developer of the KQR Web Site, was on hand to explain her biofeedback therapy and how it relates to neuropathic pain.

It was a beautiful day in Carly’s neighborhood with good friends, new friends and good food.

On Saturday, July 18th, the Jennifer Hunter Yates Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital will join together in their 4th Team Sarcoma walk. In the past, this walk has helped bring together all those who have been impacted by sarcoma – patients, survivors, families and friends. It not only gives the walkers a chance to discuss information regarding sarcoma, but by walking as a group, in a similar t-shirt, we bring recognition to the general population of what sarcoma is. Throughout the walk, we will have posters to hold, and flyers to hand out.

This year’s walk will begin at 10:00 a.m. We will meet at the entrance of Massachusetts General Hospital and take a group photo before we begin our walk. The walk route starts on Cambridge Street, which will take us to The Freedom Trail on School Street in Boston. From there we will walk through Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market and then to the North End, completing our walk at the Old North Church. The total walk will be approximately three miles.

One of the Jennifer Hunter Yates Sarcoma Foundation’s missions is to connect people whose lives have been affected by sarcoma. This event is one way that peohple can connect and know that they are not alone in their fight. If you would like to know more about the Jennifer Hunter Yates Sarcoma Foundation, please check out their website.

• If you have any questions and/or would like to register for the walk, please contact Fran Barth by email or by phone 781-784-9482.
• Support this event on Facebook.

What: 50-mile bike ride and reception
When: July 26, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.
Where: Wellesley to Wrentham, Massachusetts

Team iCureASPS will dedicate a special ride to honor Team Sarcoma. We will meet at Wellesley at 8:00am and ride to Wrentham and back on the PMC path. Following that ride, there will be a reception in Brookline.

• For more information please e-mail Yosef Landesman.

Participants cycled from Lynnfield to Gloucester where they were met with an oceanside barbeque lunch, music, and prizes at Stage Fort Park. The route was 28 miles in length and moderately challenging. This event was not a race, so riders rode at their own pace, arriving at the finish line between 1.5 and 4 hours after starting. The route passed through a broad range of environments – everything from small neighborhoods and town centers, to rural countryside and past massive coastal estates. Later portions of the route ran parallel to the ocean approaching Cape Ann. A facilities-equipped rest and refreshments stop was set up in a parking lot at Endicott College facing the ocean, at roughly the half-way point.

Reid Sacco lost his two-year battle to rhabdomyosarcoma in 2005 at age 20. Proceeds from Reid’s Ride benefit the Reid Sacco Memorial Cancer Fund and its mission to find better treatments and someday a cure for sarcomas and other cancers that strike adolescents and young adults.

• For more information, visit Reid’s Ride, read the press release or the article in the Wicked Local.

Carly and her team of 25 dancers participated in a North American dance competition. For more information, contact MiMi at the Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma Support Group.