The post below is a sponsored post from Obliteride, the Fred Hutch fundraiser to help find the cure for cancer.
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“I sat by my mom’s side each day of her last month of life, before passing, altogether too young, from cancer.“
Matthew Caprio – Queen Anne Resident
Losing his mother to cancer was a devastating and life-changing experience for Matthew Caprio. “Her death had a profound effect on me,” said Matthew. “During that time I decided I would find ways to live a healthier lifestyle and to do more to help other people and their families struggling with cancer to prevent experiences like my mom’s. Obliteride is one of those ways.”
Matthew is riding 50 miles this summer in Fred Hutch’s Obliteride. He says he considers himself a novice rider. “Obliteride gives me the confidence and motivation to accomplish something bigger, both for myself, and for those who can’t,” said Matthew.
This is Matthew’s first organized ride and he’s been thrilled by the support Obliteride gives to riders, long before the ride. “Obliteride provides training schedules and fundraising tools to get me ready for the big day. Knowing there are dedicated support crews distributed along the routes and rest stops for food, water and mechanical support, gives me the peace of mind that I can stretch myself and yet have a safety net in case something pops up.”
Obliteride
Obliteride has raised nearly $7 million for life-saving cancer research in just three years. Every dollar riders fundraise goes directly to Fred Hutch.
“These funds are vital to our work toward cancer cures,” said Dr. Gary Gilliland, president and director of Fred Hutch. “There’s a very real urgency now as we are on the verge of breakthroughs. For example, our scientists have seen extraordinary success using a patient’s own immune cells to make cancer literally vanish, even in patients with the most advanced stages of disease. It’s unprecedented. Fundraising efforts like Obliteride help us cure cancer faster.”
The need for cures is urgent and the facts are scary. One out of three women and half of all men will be diagnosed with cancer. This year, nearly 70,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in the Northwest alone.
Join Obliteride – the movement to cure cancer faster
Obliteride has routes for everyone from rookies to road warriors. Riders are treated to a first-class event including fun parties, live entertainment and fantastic food from Tom Douglas Catering.
To be part of this exciting event on Aug. 14, 2016, sign up to ride 10-165 miles or volunteer at obliteride.org.
If you would like to donate to Matthew’s ride, go to his personal fundraising page. http://bit.ly/24u2THG