Cancer research Archives - Empire State Ride

How ESR is fueling the next breakthrough in cancer care

Posted on October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 by Jackie Roberts McDonough

Dr. Joyce Ohm talks about going for $10 million for the 10th anniversary

Empire State Ride is on the cusp of something extraordinary: $10 million in 10 years.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Empire State Ride (ESR), and our goal is to reach a collective $10 million. Over the last decade, ESR has already played a significant role in redefining cancer care and paving the way for the next generation of treatments. But we can’t stop until we get everyone across the finish line.

Learn more about the incredible projects funded through ESR.

Your Impact

Meet Dr. Joyce Ohm

Joyce Ohm, Ph.D., has participated in five Empire State Ride events, and she sees the fundraising dollars at work every day. She serves as the chair of the Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“$10 million in 10 years is going to get us to new discoveries, new experiments, new drugs, new treatments, new cures for our patients that are going to help them move forward,” said Dr. Ohm.

She explained that while researchers have made tremendous progress in developing and implementing new therapies for many of the more common types of cancer, there are still complex, aggressive cases for all cancers and a wide range of rare tumors for which little progress has been made over the last 40 years.

“These include cancer types like pediatric sarcoma and pancreatic cancer,” said Dr. Ohm. “Research is desperately needed in these areas to help us understand what makes these cancers unique, how they evade immune surveillance and how the tumors evolve and become resistant to therapy.”

Advances in those critical areas depend on research — and research is funded through donor dollars.

$1 to $23

Roswell Park has the best and brightest researchers and doctors who have come from around the world to dedicate their lives to studying and treating cancer. Donations to Roswell Park through ESR enable breakthrough cancer discoveries and bring new treatments from the bench (lab) to the bedside (patients).

In 2023, we proudly announced that for every dollar donated to cancer research, Roswell Park is now able to leverage an additional $23 from external grants.

“It’s not a magical match, but instead a lot of hard work, and none of it happens without events like the Empire State Ride,” said Dr. Ohm.

What’s Next

As an ESR road warrior, from the seat of your bike, you’re making a difference in cancer as we know it. Hitting the $10 million milestone in 2024 signifies our commitment to the mission to end cancer, as we ride in solidarity with and for the patients of today and tomorrow.

“While I can’t predict what the next big advance will be, it is likely to be due to advances in our understanding of the genetic and molecular drivers of tumor initiation and evolution. Novel immunotherapy approaches like CAR T-Cell Therapy are expected to play a big role,” said Dr. Ohm. “This is how the Empire State Ride will have an impact on our patients for years and decades to come.”

Sign up for the 10th Anniversary Ride

eBikes at Empire State Ride

Posted on October 31, 2023October 31, 2023 by Jackie Roberts McDonough

Empire State Ride is an endurance event that challenges riders over the course of 500+ miles. Some riders may want to complete that journey on an eBike. The good news is that class 1, pedal assist eBikes are allowed on the Empire State Ride route. To ensure a safe and positive ride experience, however, there are some factors you should consider.

Types of eBikes

During Empire State Ride, you will be cycling along a variety of different road types. Bike paths are included in our routes, so our permits only allow for class 1 pedal assist eBikes. All others are NOT permitted.

When selecting an eBike, make sure that it is a durable road bike, made for longer distances. Prior to hitting the road, get plenty of training on your eBike to ensure you’re comfortable riding it, charging it and changing the battery.

Charging Your eBike

It is up to the rider to monitor their own charging progress.

On the Road

Empire State Ride is a seven-day adventure. Each day’s route will vary with the shortest ride day being 50-60 miles and the longest day covering 100 miles. One battery/charge will likely not be sufficient to get you through the day. In some cases, riders may need two or three batteries for days with longer mileage. If you bring a second battery, you will need to carry it with you during the ride and have a plan as to when you will change it on the route.

At Rest Stops

eBikes cannot be charged at rest stops along the Empire State Ride route.

At Camp

Charging stations will be available at camp each night during Empire State Ride. However, with 300 riders using these stations to charge their personal devices, the power may not be as strong as if your battery were plugged into an outlet at home. Be mindful that the recharge may take longer than usual at our campsites. eBikes without removable battery packs are not recommended, as we cannot guarantee that our charging stations at each camp will be near the bike racks.

Glitches Along the Way

SAG and mechanics crews will be available to assist you with a flat tire, should one develop. If your eBike requires specific tools, be sure to bring them with you on your ride, and we’ll assist to the best of our ability. While our mechanics are extremely well-equipped, we may have to lean on the help of bike shops along the route to accommodate the unique needs of each bike. If your eBike requires a rare part, we will do our best to find a loaner bike so you can keep your momentum going.

Still have questions about bringing your eBike? Contact our team at empirestateride@roswellpark.org.

Safety

2023 Empire State Ride Raises $2 Million for Cancer Research

Posted on August 31, 2023September 1, 2023 by Jackie Roberts McDonough

From July 22 to July 29, 2023, 276 cyclists embarked on the journey of a lifetime across New York State. Together, they raised $2 million for cancer research at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. That’s a new fundraising record for the Empire State Ride, since the event began back in 2014.

Watch the 2023 Wrap Video!

The Journey

During the 500+ mile adventure, starting in New York City and ending in Niagara Falls, riders passed through 76 villages, towns and cities. They conquered countless obstacles, from heat and hills to storms and distance.

Riders came from 26 states (including Alaska) and the U.S. Virgin Islands with one common goal. They created unique bonds by sharing their stories and their why for taking part in #ESR23.

Every night, through evening programming, Empire State Ride road warriors learned more about the mission to end cancer and how their fundraising dollars are being put to work right now.

Want to revisit some of the best moments from your weeklong adventure? Check out the Empire State Ride Flickr album, with photos from each day.

“This week was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had … I rode for my dad, and seeing him and my family at the finish line made all the struggles so worthwhile. I made amazing friends and got to see so much of this incredible state.”

Jeremy, 2023 ESR road warrior

“That's why I really wanted to do this ride, because I wanted to do something monumental that says, ‘I got cancer, and it's not going to stop me.’ It hasn't stopped me."

Melissa, 2023 ESR road warrior

“Empire State Ride means coming together once a year with a family that will continue to grow and that will raise what we need to raise to keep more research going … I encourage everybody to do at least one day of the Empire State Ride. One day can change your life.”

Harold, 2023 ESR road warrior

Join the Adventure

Be the first to know when registration opens for #ESR24 by joining our mailing list.

We look forward to seeing you on the road next summer for the 10^th anniversary ride.

Save the dates:
July 20 – July 27, 2024

The Difference You Make with Empire State Ride

Posted on August 11, 2023October 17, 2023 by Jackie Roberts McDonough

When you support Empire State Ride, you’re paving the way for the next generation of cancer care.

The funds raised by our riders benefit cutting-edge cancer research at America’s first cancer center dedicated to research, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Through regional, national and global collaboration, the funds that come to Roswell Park go into efforts that will change the way we prevent, diagnose and treat cancers of all kinds everywhere. That means with Empire State Ride, your impact is worldwide.

Check out these videos to see how your dollars are being put to work right now:

CAR T-Cell Therapy

CAR T-Cell therapy, an innovative immunotherapy treatment, originally for blood cancers, that will now expand to solid tumors, thanks to forward-thinking, patient-focused leadership at Roswell Park.

SurVaxM

SurVaxM, a therapeutic vaccine designed to help patients with a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer, glioblastoma. SurVaxM was developed at Roswell Park by Robert Fenstermaker, MD, Chair of Neurosurgery, and Michael Ciesielski, PhD, Assistant Professor of Oncology.

Response to Therapy

Response to Therapy, an innovative blood test that will change the way we treat cancer by giving doctors real-time updates on how a patient is responding to treatment. A phase 1 study, funded in part by donations, is already underway at Roswell Park.

Donate to Empire State Ride

Your $1 donation turns into $23 in cancer research funding

The Road to Empire State Ride, brought to you by Port X Logistics: By the Numbers

Posted on July 12, 2023August 8, 2023 by Jackie Roberts McDonough

Presented by

Empire State Ride has grown substantially since it began back in 2014. Adjusting to scale while keeping a tight-knit community feel is a challenge our behind-the-scenes team continues to master year after year. To give you a better picture of the scope of this seven-day adventure, here’s a breakdown of the numbers.

Sponsors:

Port X Logistics
Destination Niagara USA
Batavia Downs
CSX
Windstream
Enterprise

“We cannot emphasize enough the immense logistical challenges that go into planning and executing a ride of this size. It takes an outstanding team of dedicated professionals to ensure that every aspect, from route planning and safety measures to accommodations and transportation, is perfectly orchestrated for a seamless experience,” said Brian Kempisty, founder of Port X Logistics.

“At Port X Logistics, we understand the importance of meticulous planning and collaboration, which is why we are constantly in awe of the exceptional team behind the Empire State Ride. Their unwavering commitment to making this event a success, year after year, is truly commendable.”

One figure that can’t be measured — the countless memories you’ll make on the road. Join the adventure and our mission to end cancer.

Why volunteer at ESR?

Behind the scenes.

Honoring a life through Empire State Ride: Jerry Lewandowski’s story

Posted on July 6, 2023August 7, 2023 by j.schifferle

Jerry Lewandowski's Story

When you walk through the doors of the Lewandowksi household, you’ll be welcomed in with warmth and kindness — whether you’re a friend or stranger. If you need something to eat, Jerry Lewandowski, 53, will happily fire up the grill. If you need a place to stay, his two kids, Grace, 22, and Jerry Jr., 25, will grab extra blankets and make space for you, no questions asked.

In a big house in a quiet suburban neighborhood outside of Albany, the three Lewandowskis work hard to carry on the long-standing traditions started by Theresa Puleo-Lewandowski, a mother, wife and respected lawyer. Theresa was an advocate for what the family called “taking in the strays,” which means welcoming all who enter with open arms. Their home has long been synonymous with community for those who know them.

“We called it our extended family,” Grace said. “My brother went to school with a lot of kids from a lot of different countries. When they couldn't go home during the holidays, my mom would invite six of them over to stay in the guestroom and basement. She really put her all into it. We'd have Easter eggs, and she'd make them Easter baskets, even if they didn’t celebrate. She always made sure everybody felt included.”

Grace Lewandowski

Navigating Life After Loss

In recent years, the Lewandowski house has taken on a quieter atmosphere. Some things have remained the same: their three dogs running around the house, a dusty old bike with a Ride for Roswell bib hanging in the garage. But much has changed.

The mantle now holds a lifetime of keepsakes: beloved pictures, diplomas, a box of candy. In the middle, a wooden box rests with candles on either side. For the last two years, the flame they share has never been extinguished — not since the candles were first lit in honor of Theresa.

Two years after losing her life to stage IV colorectal cancer, Theresa continues to make an impact through the hearts of those who loved her most.

Theresa's Legacy

Theresa always sought to do right by other people. “Taking in the strays” was just one of the many ways she made a difference for others. She was a woman of strong morals, and fighting for what’s right was in her DNA since day one.

Theresa came into the world two months premature with underdeveloped lungs and a string of health complications. She wasn’t given a proper middle name because the doctors didn’t anticipate she’d survive. But she fought hard and made it — and then she moved on to fighting for others.

“She was phenomenal,” her husband, Jerry, said. “She really was. She was very understanding, very loving. I don’t know how she kept all the balls in the air and still maintained her career. Everything was for her family. And yet — she was able to maintain the professional, ethical lifestyle that she chose as a career.”

On the job as a trial litigator, Theresa’s poised demeanor and sharp, pitch-perfect arguments commanded the courtrooms she worked in. At home, Theresa listened intently to her kids, Jerry Jr. and Grace, and challenged them, without judgement or anger, to always think critically about their choices. Her strong moral compass and high ethical standards earned her respect among colleagues and awe among her family and friends.

Jerry, Jerry Jr, Grace, and Theresa Lewandowski stand in front of the mantle at their home. Context.

Jerry, Jerry Jr, Grace, and Theresa Lewandowski gather together for a birthday celebration. Context.

Theresa Lewandowski cuddles the family dog. Context.

Theresa and Jerry stand together at a stadium

Theresa and Jerry Lewandowski smile at the camera

"Everything was for her family. And yet — she was able to maintain the professional, ethical lifestyle that she chose as a career.”

Jerry Lewandowski, on his wife Theresa

Honoring Theresa by Fueling Cancer Research

Now, the Lewandowskis are figuring out life in a new chapter without Theresa. Each family member copes differently — sometimes, they cope together; sometimes, they cope in quiet moments alone. For Jerry, coping also means picking up where Theresa left off.

Theresa was an avid runner, so Jerry stepped up and completed a half marathon. Theresa cycled and participated in the Ride for Roswell. She also strongly supported Roswell Park, a place where she felt comfortable and at ease during her cancer treatments.

“We flew all over the country trying to find different treatments for her cancer. I remember one time walking into Roswell Park. Theresa turns around and says, ‘You know, every time I walk in here, I feel like I’m home.’ And that meant the world to me, that she was comfortable there.”

When Jerry learned about Empire State Ride and discovered that the proceeds fuel cancer research at Roswell Park and around the globe, he knew he needed to take on the weeklong adventure for Theresa.

“They say, spend just one day with us. And we did the one whole day with Roswell Park. Got there at like seven in the morning, and we didn’t leave until eight at night. We were going to go for other opinions, and she got done talking to the doctor, and she says, ‘Sign me up.’ And they opened up a trial to her and told her that they would accept her. And we got more time with Theresa because of that,” Jerry said. “I just want to give back as much as I can now.”

“We got more time with Theresa because of [Roswell Park]. I just want to give back as much as I can now.”

Jerry Lewandowski

Tackling a 500+ Mile Biking Adventure of a Lifetime

The day of orientation for #ESR22, Jerry Jr. and Grace drove their father to Wagner College.

“It was like dropping your child off,” Grace recalls. “Everybody was crying. We were hoping he was going to make friends and have a good time. We were so nervous to drop him off. And then ….” she pauses. “Normally every day at home, he calls us five times a day. What are you doing? What are you doing? On that weeklong ride, WE were calling HIM. He was so happy. He left us alone for the week. He fit right in, and he loves it. And he now plans to do it every single year.”

For Jerry, the Empire State Ride is both an opportunity to honor Theresa and a chance to connect with people who understand what he’s going through. Many of the people on the road have experienced the loss of loved ones to cancer or have battled cancer themselves.

“It's really hard to explain the bond that you feel with other riders. But everybody needs a purpose. Might be somebody else's story. Might be your story. But it takes all of us to move the needle to help get the funds needed [for cancer research],” Jerry said. “She taught us that: Make a difference in somebody else’s life.”

Jerry Lewandowski, on his wife Theresa

To date, Jerry has raised more than $96,485 for the cause.

Join Jerry by donating today.

How to pack for a 500+ mile bike ride across New York State

Posted on June 12, 2023June 12, 2023 by j.schifferle

Packing for ESR? Check out these tips.

Tackling a seven-day, 500+ mile cycling adventure takes preparation, and one of the best steps you can take to prepare for the Empire State Ride is to pack appropriately. When you register for this lifechanging ride, you receive a travel planner via email that includes all the details about the adventure you’re taking on. In that planner, you’ll find a list of items to pack and a few you can leave home.

Once you’ve reviewed the packing list, check out the tips below from our veteran riders for inspiration on other items you might need.

🚲 Terry Bourgeois

ESR founder Terry Bourgeois suggests packing:

Flashlight for navigating camp
Vitamins, focusing on magnesium and potassium supplements for recovery
BioFreeze or a topical pain-relieving product
Earplugs to use in the tent
Desitin for skin irritation

🚲 Maria Thor

Seven-year rider Maria Thor is always prepared with:

Performance bars
Packs of nuts
Pedialyte for hydration
Toilet paper with a plastic bag for use in between rest stops
Tube, co2 cartridge and bike tool

🚲 Joyce Ohm

Five-year veteran rider Joyce Ohm can’t leave home without:

Gallon Ziplock plastic bags – she packs her kits (jersey, bibs, sports bra, socks) in plastic bags for each day, with clothes for the evening, as well. Dirty clothes go back in the plastic bags. If it rains, suitcases can get wet, and the bags protect her clothing from rain.
Lightweight, fitted sheet to cover the air mattress
Battery-operated fan for the tent
Recovery shakes and a reusable water bottle
…. and most importantly: A sense of humor!

As part of the $3,500 fundraising commitment, riders are provided with a tent, air mattress, camp chair and towel service each day. Each rider is allowed two medium-size bags, plus a sleeping bag and pillow that we transport each day. The weight of any single bag may not exceed 35 pounds. Pack strategically to have everything you need to enjoy the week!

Join us at the finish line, brought to you by Destination Niagara USA

Posted on June 1, 2023July 25, 2023 by Jackie Roberts McDonough

In partnership with

Saturday, July 29 @ 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Watching 300 Empire State Ride cyclists cross the finish line on Old Falls Street is an experience unlike any other. In that moment, the road warriors will achieve their goal of riding 500+ miles across New York State while raising essential funds for cancer research. You can be a part of the unforgettable moment!

Join us in celebrating the ESR road warriors’ accomplishment by cheering them on at the finish line!

There will be food trucks, live music and programming to honor the road warriors and congratulate them on completing their seven-day adventure. All ESR road warriors will cross the finish line around 4 p.m.

Here’s what you can expect:

Food trucks, including Dirty Bird Chicken N’ Waffles
Live music
Programming on the riders’ impact
Opportunity to purchase ESR gear
Awesome signs and plenty of cheering
Smiles as hundreds of road warriors embrace that finish line feeling
New this year: The Falls will be illuminated in the ESR colors, blue and orange, from 10 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

What to bring:

Enthusiasm
Inspiration and willingness to create a sign
Spending money and appropriate gear for the weather

Parking:

Paid parking is available throughout the city.

Enjoying Niagara Falls USA!

After cheering on the ESR road warriors, make the most of your trip by enjoying this bucket-list destination.

Niagara Falls USA offers:

Nightly illumination and fireworks over Niagara Falls
Iconic attractions
A myriad of outdoor activities
Shopping
Art and culture
History and guided tours
Amazing food for every palate

View or download the Niagara Falls USA Travel Guide, or request a free printed guide delivered to you .

Visit the Niagara Falls USA website for travel planning information, or call 1-877 FALLS US to speak with a local expert.

“The best part of the whole thing? Seeing that finish line moment."

Caitlin Pietz

RSVP to the finish line celebration

Jane Eshbaugh: Chasing the wind

Posted on May 26, 2023August 7, 2023 by j.schifferle

How One Cyclist Seeks Adventure in the Face of Cancer

In the middle of winter in Ellicottville, NY, Jane Eshbaugh wakes at the crack of dawn. After a morning cup of coffee, she makes her way to Holiday Valley Ski Resort where she begins her ascent to the top of a nearby slope. At the peak, she’ll pause to take note of the temperature and surrounding conditions to later compile and share in a detailed ski report. In the meantime, she straps on her skis and carves her way down the slope through freshly fallen snow, a smile on her lips.

This daily routine is one of joy for Jane, and one that’s been a near constant in her life for more than four decades.

She’s built her life around skiing and the outdoors, from her career as Holiday Valley’s marketing director to countless ski trips and her marriage to Holiday Valley President and General Manager Dennis Eshbaugh. The couple has two daughters, Kate and Maggie, who both have thriving careers in the ski industry and a deep appreciation for adventure, just like their mom.

“Jane has given our kids the ability to see the world in a bigger manner, to enjoy every experience for the moment, to never lose track of the importance of making the best of what you have in front of you and appreciating what you have,” Dennis says.

Though Jane’s now (semi) retired from her 41-year career as Holiday Valley’s marketing director, she still embraces the ski lifestyle and stays involved in day-to-day operations. When the weather warms up and ski season ends, Jane finds other ways to get active outdoors, including biking, sailing, swimming and running. She’s participated in the Ride for Roswell for close to 20 years and the Empire State Ride, a seven-day adventure across New York State, for almost four years.

For Jane, it all comes down to the wind on her face. There’s just something about that feeling.

“Feeling the wind in my face is a little bit of a theme in my life. I definitely get it when I’m riding or skiing or hiking or doing anything outside. It’s just such a feeling of freedom. The wind in my face represents health, happiness and freedom,” Jane says.

Jane and her fellow ESR road warrior Bonnie hike to the top of a mountain at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, NY

Jane smiles while hiking a slope at Holiday Valley

That’s a feeling that Jane continues to chase, even in the face of some of life’s biggest challenges, including the biggest one she’s faced yet.

Jane’s Cancer Diagnosis

One year ago, Jane was training to ride her bike across the U.S. with her friend and fellow ESR rider, Bonnie. But Jane felt off during training. She made an appointment with her doctor and went through an ultrasound and other testing to pinpoint the issue. In early April, Jane received devastating news: She has stage IV pancreatic cancer.

In the wake of Jane’s diagnosis, her family rallied around her, each one taking on a different supporting role.

“When you first hear those words that someone you love has a tumor, has cancer, there is a numbness that overcomes you. There’s a disconnect and potential for despair,” Dennis says. “But very quickly, you make a decision that there’s a job to be done. And I think it is remarkable what we’ve been able to do as a family.”

Their daughter, Kate, became the investigator, diving into Jane’s treatment and prognosis to fully understand Jane’s options. Maggie became the “soul” of the family, nourishing and supporting her loved ones, and Dennis became the facilitator, the one who saw to it that everything that needed to be done got done

That freed up Jane to focus on what matters most: fighting for her life.

“When you first hear those words that someone you love has a tumor, has cancer, there is a numbness that overcomes you. There's a disconnect and potential for despair. But very quickly, you make a decision that there's a job to be done. And I think it is remarkable what we've been able to do as a family.”

Dennis Eshbaugh

Jane’s Journey with Pancreatic Cancer

“I have not cried ever since my diagnosis. I didn't even cry when the doctor told me that I had cancer or when I told Dennis or my kids. But I'm going to cry when I ring that Victory Bell.”

Jane Eshbaugh

Jane’s advanced staging made her ineligible for surgery. With guidance from her family and her doctors at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, she decided on an aggressive treatment plan that included chemotherapy. She also had genetic testing of her genes and genetic testing of her tumor, the latter of which showed that she had two actionable mutations that qualified her for immunotherapy.

Once Jane finished chemotherapy, she transitioned to immunotherapy treatments every three weeks. The difference between the two courses of treatment felt like night and day. With immunotherapy, Jane says she feels healthier and stronger overall compared to the highs and lows that come with chemotherapy. She’s able to do the activities that she loves, like training for this year’s Empire State Ride.

“Roswell Park to me means hope,” Jane says. “When I go there, a guy is playing the piano or the accordion or the guitar. People walk in, and they’re scared a lot of times when they come through the door. But then you see them realizing that this place is helping us to get better, especially when you hear them ring the bell.”

According to Dennis, Jane undertook her cancer diagnosis with determination, optimism and a strong will. She’s focused on always having a positive attitude, making the best of life at every step, despite the challenges.

“I have not cried ever since my diagnosis. I didn’t even cry when the doctor told me that I had cancer or when I told Dennis or my kids,” Jane says. “But I’m going to cry when I ring that Victory Bell.”

Setting an Example for Her Kids

When Jane’s mother was battling breast cancer, Jane said she didn’t dwell on her pain but instead focused on being the best she could be. As Jane goes through her own treatment, she’s trying to emulate that mindset and pass it on to her own daughters. Her daughter, Kate, has this message for her mom:

“Mom, I want to tell you how inspiring you are to me. Throughout this journey, you have supported me as my mother, which is crazy because I'm the one who's supposed to be supporting you. But your ability to make the best of this and to keep living and to never give up, that's what keeps me going,” Kate says.

Kate Rauber

Fundraising to End Cancer

Jane is committed to riding in the Empire State Ride again this year, along with her husband Dennis and a crew of others on Team Holiday Valley. She’s excited for July and says she’s feeling great — so much so that she’s planning to ride the whole week. Last year, during chemotherapy treatments, she tag-teamed the adventure. Dennis drove the van while she rode, and they switched back and forth.

Since Jane’s diagnosis, her team has almost tripled in size, and team donations have continued to roll in. Jane is passionate about continuing to fundraise for cancer research so that one day there will be a cure for pancreatic cancer — and for the countless other types of cancer out there.

“To end cancer is optimistic but doable. And every day, we get closer. One day it’s going to happen. Empire State Ride is one of those things that are going to help find that end to cancer.”

Until that day, Jane plans to continue living in the moment and making the most of every adventure.

“Being on my bike and doing the things I love to do, that’s who I am. And cancer doesn’t get to take that away from me,” she says.

Stay in the loop on #ESR23 for more on Jane's 500+ mile journey.

Your $1 donation turns into $23 in cancer research funding

Posted on May 15, 2023May 30, 2023 by Jackie Roberts McDonough

There are many powerful ways to support Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s goal of freeing our world from the fear, pain and loss due to cancer. One of those ways is riding in or donating to the Empire State Ride. That’s because the funds raised by ESR road warriors and donors each year are put to work immediately, fueling cutting-edge cancer research for cancer patients and their caregivers.

Roswell Park has the best and brightest researchers and doctors who have come from around the world to dedicate their life to studying and treating cancer. Donations to Roswell Park through the Empire State Ride enable breakthrough cancer discoveries and bring new treatments from the bench (lab) to the bedside (patients).

We’re proud to say that for every dollar donated to cancer research, Roswell Park is now able to leverage an additional $23 from external grants toward that research. This is thanks to the support of ESR and the hard work of Roswell Park researchers.

How cancer research funding works.

Cancer research requires a lot of work, resources and investment. With the great wealth of talent among Roswell Park’s researchers and scientists, there are a lot of promising ideas brewing. Many of these discoveries are only able to move forward with the support of donations. Each year, Roswell Park scientists apply and compete for grants from the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation through the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The SAC process is led by Drs. Mukund Seshadri and Kirsten Moysich, who select an internal objective group of peers to sit on the committee based on expertise and areas of research. Reviewers are asked to thoroughly evaluate and consider the scientific promise of each application. The most promising grant applications are awarded with donor-raised funds to allow scientists to continue their cancer research. This seed money is used for researchers to obtain primary research data and, in turn, apply for larger national grants. The initiatives that receive support often lead to long-term funding from national organizations and new treatments.

Impact of fundraising at Roswell Park.

Since 2011, the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, with funds from the Empire State Ride and other related fundraisers, has awarded over $16 million to researchers through the Scientific Advisory Committee through 245 grants to 146 scientists. These grants have led to the publication of 167 papers, the start of at least 20 clinical trials based on homegrown science at Roswell Park and the investment of over $96 million in external grant funding. That means that for every dollar donated to cancer research, Roswell Park receives an additional $23 in external funding for cancer research. The dedication and commitment of riders, donors and volunteers is driving work in state-of-the-art labs that fuels discoveries that are changing the future of cancer.

Recent Stories

Search Empire State Ride

Dr. Joyce Ohm talks about going for $10 million for the 10th anniversary

Meet Dr. Joyce Ohm

$1 to $23

What’s Next

Types of eBikes

Charging Your eBike

Glitches Along the Way

Watch the 2023 Wrap Video!

The Journey

Join the Adventure

Save the dates:July 20 – July 27, 2024

CAR T-Cell Therapy

SurVaxM

Response to Therapy

Presented by

Sponsors:

In-kind sponsors:

Jerry Lewandowski's Story

Navigating Life After Loss

Theresa's Legacy

Honoring Theresa by Fueling Cancer Research

Tackling a 500+ Mile Biking Adventure of a Lifetime

To date, Jerry has raised more than $96,485 for the cause. Join Jerry by donating today.

Packing for ESR? Check out these tips.

🚲 Terry Bourgeois

🚲 Maria Thor

🚲 Joyce Ohm

In partnership with

Saturday, July 29 @ 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Here’s what you can expect:

What to bring:

Parking:

Enjoying Niagara Falls USA!

Niagara Falls USA offers:

How One Cyclist Seeks Adventure in the Face of Cancer

Jane’s Cancer Diagnosis

Jane’s Journey with Pancreatic Cancer

Setting an Example for Her Kids

Fundraising to End Cancer

Stay in the loop on #ESR23 for more on Jane's 500+ mile journey.

How cancer research funding works.

Impact of fundraising at Roswell Park.

Connect with us!

Quick links

Contact info

Proceeds directly benefit

Save the dates:
July 20 – July 27, 2024

To date, Jerry has raised more than $96,485 for the cause.

Join Jerry by donating today.