At Klout, our community outreach is through a program called Klout for Good. The goal is for our users to leverage their influence to make life better for others. This February, Klout for Good has a partnership with Cycle for Survival, where Team Klout has pledged to raise $25,000 for rare cancer research. Beyond our fundraising efforts, Klout employees will ride as a team in the San Francisco Cycle for Survival event on February 2.
What is Cycle for Survival?
Cycle for Survival is a national, indoor team spinning event that raises critical research dollars for rare types of cancers. Founded in 2007 by Jen and David Linn, Cycle has become the country’s fastest growing athletic fundraiser. Within 6 months of the events, 100% of every dollar raised is allocated to research and immediately put to work. Cycle has raised $20 million and counting and has funded 53 early stage clinical trials and research studies led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
#JointheBattle #Cycle2013
Rare Cancers?
Rare cancers each individually effect under 200,000 people annually and as a result, they do not receive the funding they desperately need. However, when you group the rare cancers together, they account for 50% of all cancer cases. These so-called rare cancers include commonly heard of forms of the disease such as pancreatic, brain, ovarian, leukemia, lymphoma, all pediatric cancers and many others.
Why do I Cycle?
This November my close friend Jessica Leung found out she has cancer. While most people would lose their spirit with finding out this news, Jessica has remained the motivated, winsome and playful person we all love. She even refers to her cancer has “schmancer” and created the hashtag #HeyLadiesRToughLadies for her fight.
#HeyLadiesRToughLadies
Jessica was diagnosed with nasopharynx cancer, a rare cancer in most parts of the world. In North America, it occurs in about 7 in every 1 million people. About 2,800 cases occurred in the United States in 2012.
What is even more rewarding about participating in Cycle for Survival, is that I know Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has actively been doing research on nasopharynx cancer. A team of international investigators from North America and Hong Kong, led by a Memorial Sloan-Kettering radiation oncologist, reported that adding a particular drug to the current standard therapy might prevent the spread of nasopharyngeal tumors to other parts of the body. You can read about their findings here.
How Can We Help?
I didn’t know what to do or how to respond when Jessica told me she had cancer. When I found out that Cycle for Survival & Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center are doing research on her specific cancer, I felt like participating in the ride was a step in the right direction.
I am cycling to honor Jessica. She is inspires me and Cycle for Survival is a way for me to support her. I would love if you would donate to my effort: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/aggiemichelle
To get a sense of the fun, energy, momentum and impact of Cycle for Survival, watch this inspirational video.
Spazzin' in San Francisco 