TRAVERSE CITY, MI, July 1, 2011
The 4th Annual Cherry-Roubaix that delivers the State Road Race Championship race as part of their three day event on August 14, 2011 (in conjunction with the Michigan Bike Race Association and USA Cycling) also hosts a choice of either a 20 or 43-mile Charity Ride on August 13 to benefit Munson Healthcare Women‟s Cancer Fund.
Using every fund dollar for its purpose, Munson Women‟s Cancer Fund provides financial assistance to women in northern Michigan who have been diagnosed with cancer and have exhausted other financial means for their cancer-related health care.
Among other related items and health services, Munson Women‟s Cancer Fund covers expenses of prosthetics, transportation, childcare during treatment, and home medications.
“My grandfather, 'Papa', my father, Paul, my mother, Jeanette and my sister, Lucia...my entire family all had cancer.” With such a personal connection herself, Cherry-Roubaix Charity Ride founder Jean Peters feels passionate about the purpose that fuels the Charity Ride and inspires ride participants. “Papa was the first person I ever knew that died. He died of prostate cancer. My father died of Leukemia, and my mother had colon cancer. My sister Lucia has survived three types of cancer including a rare and deadly uterine-lining cancer. Two years later Lucia was also diagnosed colon cancer, and more recently, she had a big chunk taken from her leg as a result of skin cancer.”
Peters emotionally bonds with the many Charity Ride cyclists somehow touched by cancer in their lives. “My friends and their family that have had cancer include Joe, Marge, Kim, Kristin, Bill, Bud, Marta, Arabella, Mary Jean, Lucho, CiCi, Dayne, Jim, Maxine and my kitty, Roscoe. And of course, generations of Americans feel connected to famous cancer victims like John Wayne, Farrah Fawcett, Patrick Swayze, Dennis Hopper, Gregory Hines and Lance Armstrong.”
Peters reflects on a recent report that compared to 1993, Americans are now 18% less likely to die of cancer. “So why commit to the Cherry-Roubaix Charity Ride if cancer sufferers have been on the decline? Because everything we do to combat this insidious disease has an impact. An eighteen percent improvement simply means those patients are not dying, but they and their families still have to endure the illness. That means people in my life, people in your life...and maybe even you.”
Straightforward and compassionate, Peters hits the mark. “Cherry-Roubaix Charity Ride cyclists ride because they care. Some are remembering those lost, some are fighting for those who are battling right now, some are paying it forward. Me? I am doing all three, and I am quite certain anyone who generously signs up for the Cherry-Roubaix Charity Ride is doing the same thing.”
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The Northwood Dental office in Traverse City is excited to be supporting and sponsoring this exciting cycling event as a Team Level sponsor. Dr. Brian Klym will also be racing on Sunday, August 14 as part of the Hagerty Cycling Team as a Cap 4 Racer.
More About The Cancer Survivors Fundraisers
Commit to one of two ride distances out gorgeous Old Mission Peninsula on August 13, and Peters guarantees that as participant, cyclists will get more than they give. “The 'Sisterhood' is leading us out the shoreline road from downtown Traverse City, and everyone, speedy or slow, is working to ride cancer into the ground by helping our friends and neighbors get help they need from Munson Women's Cancer Fund. We may not know who combats cancer now or in the future, but today we can do something.”
Peters confirms, “Our Cherry-Roubaix Charity Ride community inspires and needs your help. Get on a bike, have a good time, get a cool tee shirt, enjoy revitalizing comradeship and refreshments at Jolly Pumpkin on Old Mission Peninsula, and join millions globally who take a step in their own way to wipe this condition off the face of the earth. I'll be over your shoulder with you. Hundreds, including me, are very grateful for your choice on August 13 to ride together to defend women's health, support our friends and our families, and kick cancer to the curb.”
View photos, discover information, or register today for the Cherry-Roubaix Charity Bike Ride to benefit Munson Women's Cancer Fund at Cherry Roubaix Cycling: Charity Ride Web Page. Learn more about at MunsonHealthcare.Org Monson Women's Cancer Fund Page.
Jean Peters, founder of the Cherry-Roubaix Charity Ride, is also Cherry-Roubaix Technical Director and a member of the Cherry-Roubaix Board of Directors. Email Peters at jean@cherry-roubaix.com. Particular inspiration for this sharing of information is dedicated to the memory of Jean Peters’ dear friend, Jim B., a wonderful man, artist and supreme gardener whose gentle soul was relieved of his battle with cancer in late June 2011.
Cherry-Roubaix series is a three-day weekend event. The State Championship Road Race is on Sunday, August 14. The championship course begins and ends high atop Sugarloaf Resort in Cedar, Michigan.
The Grand Traverse area is a popular cycling destination and an amazing place for vacation value. All ages find opportunities to participate or take a break from fast-paced Cherry-Roubaix action. Relax on miles of pristine beaches, take a wine tour across Leelanau or Old Mission Peninsula, enjoy time at a ball game, climb the sand dunes or unwind in a charming movie theater after spending a few hours shopping and dining in quaint downtown Traverse City.
- The weekend begins with evening Sprints on Friday, August 12 at Traverse City’s Friday Night Live, and the excitement continues on Saturday, August 13 with a rip-roaring full day of cycling.
- Early morning cyclists of all levels may participate in the Cherry-Roubaix Charity Ride to Benefit Munson Women’s Cancer Fund followed by the high-energy Cherry-Roubaix Old Town Criterium. The criterium thrills spectators as racers explode into a one-mile course through the streets of Traverse City.
- Simultaneously with the Old Town Crit, the Kids Fun Ride and Cruiser Classic mix up the action for all to enjoy.
- The weekend crescendos in Leelanau County on Sunday, August 14 at the launch of the Michigan State Road Race Championship, the demanding race to determine the best of the best in Michigan. Hills and turns of the of the old 1980’s State Road Race course unforgivingly challenge and test racers from around the state.
Three days of Cherry-Roubaix events across the resort landscape of the Traverse City area satisfy cycling fans of all ages, from families looking for a fun, northern Michigan getaway to die-hard professional and amateur racers seeking incredible races in a supportive cycling community.
Click to find maps, a downloadable media kit, and Cherry-Roubaix info or call John Sohacki, Event Director at 231-342-2003.
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