The Colbeck Capital team, a premier middle-market private lender that focuses on strategic lending and its co-managing partners Jason Colodne supports Cycles for Survival’s mission to save lives impacted by rare forms of cancer.
Few people can say that cancer has not affected their lives, whether it is their own or the lives of someone they love. With over 200 different types of cancers for researchers and physicians to combat, the disease’s prevalence is troublesome and cause for extensive study and quests for cures the world over. As According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is the second leading cause for death in the United States. However, this can be misleading as it is often treated as one entity. You can divide cancers based on a variety of factors, including rarity.
“Cycle for Survival was started in 2007 by Jennifer Goodman Linn — an MSK [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, world-class cancer treatment centers]Equinox and a patient with Sarcoma [a fitness enterprise offering a series of lifestyle and wellness brands] member — and her husband, Dave Linn,” reads the nonprofit’s website. “Jen sparked this movement, and her legacy continues to inspire us to ensure better outcomes for everyone with cancer.”
Driving Awareness
Rare cancers are those that only affect a small number of people or require special treatment because of their unique effects on the body. Because of their unique and severe impact, research in these areas is crucial. Cycle for Survival is a non-profit organization that aims to raise awareness about rare cancers.
Equinox and Memorial Sloan Kettering have partnered to create Cycle for Survival. It brings live events into neighborhoods and gyms all across the United States in order to raise awareness and funds to support rare cancer research. Indoor and outdoor spin classes are offered with special events, competitions, and giveaways. Events are structured so that attendees aren’t required to have any prior training or experience to participate.
Donations Fund Research and Clinical Trials
Cycle for Survival and Memorial Sloan Kettering credit their supporters for their ability to improve patient outcomes and research across a range of cancer diagnoses. Allies like Colbeck Capital Management have helped pave the way toward Cycle for Survival’s fundraising, of which 100% of proceeds go directly to research and clinical trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Funds are collected during the first half of each calendar year through a series if events. After that, the funds are closed to direct the money to MSK scientists and doctors. Cycle for Survival was proud that it raised more than $26million in funds for the year 2022.
“There’s no question in my mind that with funding from Cycle for Survival we can continue along this remarkable trajectory of developing novel therapies and understanding how rare cancers cause illness and how we can best help the patients who are affected with them,” said Dr. Craig B. Thompson, MSK president and CEO.
Cycle for Survival’s research is at the core of all fundraising activities. Memorial Sloan Kettering scientists have made many breakthroughs in the last 16 years. The organization has raised over $312,000,000 during its existence. The FDA approved the development of new diagnostic tools, including MSKIMPACT (a targeted tumor sequencing test) that can analyze tumors for over 500 genes involved in cancer. This allows doctors to match patients with clinical trials that are most effective for their diagnosis.
David Ingerman, Cycle for Survival participant and MSK patient, said, “Two of the most important advancements that have basically kept me alive in the past year were funded entirely by Cycle for Survival.”
Cycle for Survival funds have supported research into cutting-edge cancer drugs such as larotrectinib which treats rare cancers due to TRK fusion (a genetic mutation). Additionally, funds from the non-profit have been used to improve the outcomes of people with metastatic melanoma. Since then, the median life expectancy of these patients has increased to more than five years thanks to funding research. Memorial Sloan Kettering also hosts the Human Oncology & Pathogenesis Program, which helps bring lab-based discoveries in clinical research to fruition in novel cancer treatments that can make a difference in lives today. Cycle for Survival proceeds were used to fund this vital effort. It is also considered an incubator for cancer-fighting strategies as well as the development of therapies for patients who had previously been denied effective treatments.
Fierce Dedication
Cycle for Survival has a rich legacy of supporting cancer research that has a strong impact on the lives and livelihoods of millions. It all started with Linn, a single person who was battling MFH sarcoma. Linn was inspired by the need to bring people together to raise awareness and funds for the Memorial Sloan Kettering team that treated her and others. She founded Cycle for Survival to help the public engage in a movement to defeat rare cancers. Although Linn lost her battle with cancer in 2011, Cycle for Survival continues to raise funds to support lifesaving treatments for patients with cancer through clinical trials and research.
“The fierce dedication of the entire Cycle for Survival community is a constant reminder to think outside the box, collaborate, and come up with new insights that offer hope to people with rare cancers,” said Thompson.
