Smilow Cancer Hospital announces first annual Closer to Free Bike Ride community fundraiser

Smilow Cancer Hospital announces first annual Closer to Free Bike Ride community fundraiser

September 10, 2011 ride will benefit Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven

New Haven, CT – June 23, 2011 – Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven announces the first annual Closer to Free bike ride fundraiser. One hundred percent of funds raised will support cancer research.

“We are very excited about this event,” said Kevin F. Walsh, Vice President of Development, Yale-New Haven Hospital. “The ride will not only help raise awareness and money for cancer care at the hospital, but it is also a great way to bring the community together and channel its energy and spirit toward a very important cause.”

The first annual Closer to Free bike ride fundraiser will start at 7 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at the Yale Bowl complex, where it will also finish with a celebration of entertainment and refreshments. The ride will pass through 12 towns throughout Greater New Haven, including New Haven, East Haven, North Branford, Guilford, Madison, Killingworth, Deep River, Essex, Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton and Branford.

“The Closer to Free Bike Ride is a real community effort,” said Thomas J. Lynch, Jr., MD, physician-in-chief, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and director of Yale Cancer Center. “With strong community support, corporate sponsors and hundreds of riders and volunteers, the success of this event will support our efforts in ground-breaking science and patient-centered care at Smilow and Yale Cancer Center.”

Cancer survivors, patients, family, friends, trained athletes and riders or all skill levels and abilities over the age of 18 are encouraged to ride. For anyone interested in riding or volunteering, visit www.rideclosertofree.org or contact Jessica Scheps, Office of Development at 203.688.8727 or rideclosertofree@ynhh.org.

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About the Closer to Free Bike Ride – The Closer to Free benefit ride will become an annual event to raise money for Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and create greater awareness for cancer care throughout Connecticut and southern New England. 

Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven – is part of Yale-New Haven Hospital and is affiliated with Yale Cancer Center. Smilow Cancer Hospital, the most comprehensive cancer facility in New England, is a 14-story, 500,000-square-foot cancer hospital, which includes: 168 private inpatient rooms, outpatient multidisciplinary treatment centers, 12 operating rooms, infusion suites, diagnostic imaging services, a floor for children with cancer, a specialized women's cancer center and diagnostic and therapeutic radiology services for children and adults. www.ynhh.org/smilow.

VIDEO LINK: http://youtu.be/xGJQ2FvsNxY

Contact: Derek Beere

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