Roswell Park Cancer Institute : The Ride For Roswell Opens Registration and Announces New Routes for 2017

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Today,The Ride For Roswell presented by West Herr Automotive Group launched registration for its 2017 event, taking place on Saturday, June 24. Community members of all ages and cycling experience are invited to 'choose your route to a cure' by signing up to ride or volunteer atRideForRoswell.org.

More than 10,000 riders and volunteers of all ages are expected to take part in this year's Ride to raise funds for cancer research and patient-care programs at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. The Ride is the single largest fundraising event in Western New York and the state's largest single-day cycling fundraiser.

'Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, and The Ride provides an opportunity for the entire community to come together and fight back against this devastating disease. Roswell Park has some of the brightest minds in the field working tirelessly to find cancer cures, and they rely on funds raised through The Ride to fuel their efforts in discovering and developing new lifesaving treatments,' said Ride Director, Bryan Sidorowicz.

The Ride also expects to reach a significant milestone in 2017: its 100,000 participant.

'Knowing that The Ride will likely welcome its 100,000 participant this year is incredibly exciting, and it's something in which Buffalo and Western New York can take great pride. The Ride is a community-wide effort, and we are so grateful to the riders, volunteers, sponsors and donors for their contributions which enable Roswell Park to impact the lives of so many.'

The 2017 fundraiser will feature 12 routes ranging from three to 102 miles, including two new route options that will both depart from the RPCI campus: a leisurely-paced14-mile 'RosRoll'that will tour along iconic downtown Buffalo landmarks and a26-mile Canada route, a shorter version of The Ride's popular 44-mile Canada route that ends in Niagara Falls, USA before riders are shuttled to UB for the finish line celebration.

'We have a route for everyone who wants to participate, regardless of age or cycling experience,' said Sidorowicz.

To participate in The Ride, riders aged 18 and over are required to reach the fundraising minimum of $200 ($500 for Canada routes) by Ride Day; riders aged 17 and under have a fundraising minimum of $50 for all routes.

Ride Weekend kicks off on Friday, June 23 with the Peloton, a 12-mile route that is reserved for top fundraisers who raise $1,000 or more. The Peloton riders will ride in two-by-two formation from RPCI to UB as part of the Celebration of Hope, a moving and inspirational community rally in support of the fight against cancer. On Saturday, June 24, after months of fundraising efforts, thousands of riders will embark on their routes from start lines at UB and RPCI.

Since the first Ride For Roswell in 1996, the event has raised more than $38 million for RPCI.

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The mission of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898, RPCI is one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation's leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visitwww.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or [e-mail]. Follow Roswell Park onFacebookandTwitter.