CMS Men's Soccer Raises Over $11,000 for Cycle for Survival
CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's soccer team took part in the Cycle for Survival event in Los Angeles for the third straight year, raising over $11,000 to help fight rare cancers.
The Stags raised $11,020 at the one-day event, and have now raised over $25,000 in their three years of participation. Dean of Academic Success Sue Layden captained the team for the day and personally raised over $2,000.
"This is the second year I've been invited to be a part of the CMS Men's Soccer Cycle for Survival team," said Layden. "I've lost family, friends, and colleagues to cancer, and as a cancer survivor who was fortunate enough to have my care led by the doctors and staff at Memorial Sloan Kettering, this is personally important to me. To have the team recognize the importance of cancer research means a lot to all of us who are cancer warriors."
Cycle for Survival is a movement in conjuction with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to beat rare cancers, with 100 percent of all money raised directly funds lifesaving rare cancer research. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is the world's oldest and largest private cancer center, and its close collaboration between doctors and researchers is a unique strength: new drugs and therapies developed in the lab can be moved quickly to patients' bedsides. The donations go to pioneering research and clinical trials, and have already led to new and better treatments for cancer patients worldwide.
"Having participated in Cycle For Survival for my second year now, I truly understand the power of this event," said sophomore midfielder Nate Huntington. "The energy of the instructors and poignancy of the speakers creates a unifying, vibrant environment. From their inspiration, all the participants bike hard, sing and dance for a great cause. My Grandfather was treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering, so having my teammates spend their time biking and raising money is especially powerful to me. Doing events like this reminds us that while our goal on the field is to win games, the positive impact that our team can have off the field takes precedent."
"When I walk through the doors at MSK I am immediately supported by an army of experts who care about me, and I know that their work depends on the fundraising efforts of individuals around the globe—not least among them being our CMS athletes," said Layden. "I'm so proud of them for their community engagement, their passion and purpose, and their commitment to give back to others, and I'm grateful that they are willing to invite me along for the ride. As an added bonus, this year's ride featured a dance party starring CMS Men's Soccer and LMU Women's Soccer that is sure to go down as one of the highlights of Cycle for Survival nationally."
To learn more about the efforts of Cycle for Survival to combat rare cancers, or to donate to their cause, visit their website at https://www.cycleforsurvival.org/.