At Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, staff members live the mission to end cancer every day through the amazing work they do. For the Team Roswell employees taking part in the 2025 Empire State Ride, this mission is not only part of their lives in the office but also on the road.
Your Team Roswell teammates are going an extra 500+ miles to raise critically needed funds for cancer research, bringing hope to cancer patients everywhere. Meet these incredible road warriors, get inspired by their stories and follow their journeys on Empire State Ride’s Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
Gretchen Zimmerman
Senior Clinical Informatics Specialist
I’m riding to end cancer for all — for every patient, every survivor and every person still waiting for a cure. I ride because I believe in hope — not just as a feeling, but as a force for change.
Cancer takes so much, but it can’t take away our hope. Every mile I ride is powered by the belief that hope can heal, hope can lead to cures and hope can unite us.
I ride:
- For the patient who just heard the words “you have cancer” and needs to know they’re not alone.
- For the child in treatment whose smile reminds us that there’s so much to fight for.
- For the family praying for more time — and the researchers working to give it to them.
- For those we’ve lost, and the hope their memory inspires.
- For a future where cancer isn’t a death sentence, but a treatable, beatable disease.
- For our community.
This ride is more than a challenge — it’s a beacon of hope. And with every turn of the pedals, we move closer to a world without cancer. Together, Team SPMaz rides with purpose, rides with hope and rides to end cancer for all.
David Byrwa
Pediatric Fellow
I chose to ride in Empire State Ride in 2025 because it is deeply personal to me. As a pediatric heme/onc fellow at Roswell Park and Oishei Children’s Hospital, I witness the constant strength, courage and resilience of our youngest patients who are fighting cancer. The ride serves as a symbolic way for me to mirror their fight in a small way, all while raising money for groundbreaking research. I’m proud to ride for them, with them in spirit, and for the hope that one day we’ll beat cancer for good.
Megan Crawford
Pediatric and Young Adult Program Manager
I ride for our patients, and for a world where no parent loses a child, and no child loses a parent to cancer.
The Empire State Ride offers a rare moment to take a step back and reflect on the meaningful work we do, and honor the strength of the patients we serve — all while raising critical funds for the future of cancer care.
Julia Faller, DO, MS
Chief Medical Officer
I’m riding to represent Roswell Park and all the great work we are doing, and I’m excited to raise money to support the research being done and the research needed. I get to see directly the impact of the dollars raised on our community and the world.
This is an incredible life changing experience where you physically challenge yourself and also meet incredible people along the way.
Fun Fact: I belong to a highly competitive family that has an annual competition where many family members compete against each other in a triathlon. There is a trophy where the winners are listed each year. It takes place over a weekend and there are lots of other fun activities.
Charles Greenberg, PharmD
Pharmacy Manager
I’ve participated in the Ride for Roswell and been an Extra Mile Club member every year for 10+ years as a community member. Now, as a Roswell Park employee (2 years in July!), I’m excited to take on the challenge of riding a bike 500+ miles from Staten Island to Niagara Falls with Team Roswell for Empire State Ride.
I’m riding in support of friends and family members living their best life in spite of a cancer diagnosis, and in memory of those whose journey has come to an end. Thank you to all the amazing people at Roswell Park working hard every day to improve the lives of patients and their families, and those exploring innovative new treatments to END CANCER!
If you see me collapsed on the road, pause my Garmin.
Emily Isenhart
Pre-Doctoral Trainee
Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics
I’m riding in memory of the loved ones I’ve lost to gynecological cancers, in honor of my grandmother — a cancer survivor — and to stand up for science. Breakthroughs in treatments and cures only happen through research, and Empire State Ride fuels that progress by funding cutting-edge cancer science at Roswell Park. I’m excited to be part of something bigger than myself, with a community of people who care deeply, show up for each other, and believe in the power of research to create a better future.
This is the first year in 10 years my PhD mentor, Joyce Ohm, PhD, Chair of the Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, hasn’t done ESR, so it’s kind of ironic that it’s my first year riding!
Brian Morreale
Pre-Doctoral Trainee
Department of Immunology
I decided to participate in the Empire State Ride to raise funds for cancer research at Roswell Park and publicly express my passion for science. Roswell Park is internationally recognized for their research and proud history. I want to be part of that legacy and help build the future.
As a predoctoral candidate and first time ESR participant, I am looking forward to this unique experience with like-minded individuals that share a common goal — to cure cancer.
Benjamin Richey
Senior Executive Director of Creative and Content Tech
I’ve always been on ESR, but as a photographer. While it’s fun to hang out of a jeep to capture some incredible images, it was time to trade in the camera for a bike. I’m riding in memory of my sister-in-law, who passed away from cancer in late April. She loved that I dedicated my ride to her and was incredibly grateful. While we had hoped she could be at the finish line cheering us in, I’ll instead be wearing yellow all week, her favorite color, so that she will be with me for all 550-miles.
I recruited my brother from Seattle and my nephew from San Francisco. It’s going to be an amazing week riding together!
Raymond Sroka, MD, PharmD, FASA
Chief of Surgical Anesthesia
I have been a Roswell Park physician since 2013 and consider myself lucky to be a part of the Roswell Park team and our mission to eliminate cancer. As an anesthesiologist, I take pride in helping our patients through some of their most difficult days. I started participating in the Ride for Roswell in 2018. It has become one of my favorite events of the year. It is obviously a great financial support for our work here at Roswell Park, but it is also a day filled with fun and emotion — remembrance for those lost and hope for those fighting. Colleagues have encouraged me to participate in the Empire State Ride for years, and I am excited to finally join in this experience as a first-year rider. I can’t wait to hit the road with everybody!
Fun fact about my fundraising: My primary fundraiser was an event in May that I called Cards Cure Cancer. After soliciting prizes from local businesses, 30+ friends and family members gathered to play in a Texas Hold ’em poker tournament. Together, we raised more than $5,000 for the Empire State Ride and Roswell Park!
Jennifer Tuttle
Senior Administrator
Office of Employee Advocacy and Fairness
I’m participating in the Empire State Ride because I believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting groundbreaking cancer research. This ride is a personal challenge and a way to honor loved ones affected by cancer. I’m looking forward to the camaraderie, the scenic routes and the sense of accomplishment that comes with every mile.
In high school, I dreamed of riding my bike across the country. Empire State Ride is an incredible opportunity to combine my love for the open road, my attraction to intense challenges and my desire to support our community. By participating, I can help provide services to individuals, families and friends during the most difficult times of their lives. 🚴♂️✨
Want to get involved?
Join us at the finish line to cheer the 2025 road warriors on, Saturday, August 2, starting at 2p.m. in Niagara Falls.