Once again, State Representative Tony Hwang (R-134) is joining forces with the Connecticut Challenge Bike Ride, an annual fundraising event which supports and empowers cancer survivors and their families.
At an ice cream event that was attended by over 400 people at the State Capitol, Rep. Hwang joined CT Challenge’s Jeff Keith and Bob Mazzone, as well as numerous state legislators who are cancer survivors to kick off the Bike Ride and raise awareness for work the CT Challenge does for cancer survivorship care throughout Connecticut. Governor Dannel P. Malloy also stopped by to support the event.
The CT Challenge, which will be held on Saturday, July 28 in Westport, is a bike ride to raise money and awareness, empowering cancer survivors through education and awareness. The organization partners with healthcare delivery centers throughout the state, and focuses on healthy physical activities through biking. There are 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mile rides to choose from, making something available for every level of biker. The fund-raising occurs through riding teams that receives donations in support of cancer survivors. In its 7th year of the ride, CT Challenge raised over $1.5 million dollars to distribute to CT Cancer care centers.
Jeff Keith, founder of the CT Challenge lost his leg at the age of twelve to cancer. He began the Swim Across the Sound for Cancer Care and would later run across the continental United States for cancer awareness. The Challenge he started, now in its seventh year, funds sixteen hospital partners across Connecticut, all through money raised at this annual event. “There is no other state that has a program quite like this, which focuses on what happens once you have made it to the other side in the difficult and challenging battle against cancer” he said. “Our resources are available exclusively to residents of Connecticut.”
“We have connected with sixteen hospitals across Connecticut, and our goal is to be available through every hospital in the state,” said Bob Mazzone the executive director of the CT Challenge.
This ride is so unique and inspiring and I am very proud to once again assist with this great cause,” said Rep. Hwang. “Nearly everyone knows someone who is battling cancer or has battled cancer. This event is about supporting the ones we love and helping them through the trials and traumas that go along with fighting and beating cancer. This year’s event featured speeches by past cancer survivor who are currently state legislators. The compelling testimonies of those who have battled cancer were an inspirational reinforcement of the indomitable spirit of people who have beaten or currently fighting cancer. They are the real heroes in the critical fight against cancer.”
Cancer survivors will attest that support is critical at every step in the fight against cancer. But as is often the case when treatment ends, survivors are left to figure out how to make the transition back to their everyday lives. They need the specialized care of unique survivorship programs to transition back to a healthy active life. The CT Challenge makes grants to support survivorship programs at leading hospitals around the state through the CT Challenge Survivorship Network.
To learn more about the CT Challenge go to www.CTChallenge.com.
