U of M Health Science Schools Kickoff Chainbreaker Bike Event

More than one hundred faculty and staff from the University of Minnesota Health Science Schools and Colleges gathered at Mayo Auditorium on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 to gear up for Cancer Research. The kickoff reception was the first official gathering to encourage registration for the Chainbreaker bike ride.

“We are excited to bring this event to the University of Minnesota,” said Brooks Jackson, Dean of the Medical School and Vice President of the Health Sciences.

Chainbreaker is a weekend of cycling and celebration scheduled for August 11-13, 2017 with options to ride for 25, 50, 100, or 180 miles. The event is modeled after the Pelatonia bike ride which raised approximately $24 million in 2016 for the Ohio State University comprehensive cancer center. The University of Minnesota’s goal is to match the $4 million Ohio State University raised in its inaugural year of Pelatonia.

Tom Lennox, founder of Pelatonia and President of Chainbreaker spoke of his personal battle with cancer at the reception and urged the room to take action by committing to ride.

“One hundred percent of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to life-saving cancer research at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota,” said Lennox.

The event starts with a celebration Friday evening. All riders start Saturday morning and those riding 180 miles will do the second half of their ride Sunday morning. There are also opportunities to volunteer and donate to participating riders.

All of the funding will go to the Masonic Cancer Center and be awarded to investigators through an external process in four areas: therapeutic drug development, immunotherapy and cellular therapy, biomarkers for prevention and/or treatment, and translational research.

You can learn more about Chainbreaker and to register for the ride check out the website.Â