Holiday Spin Events Bring in Big Funds for Families Fighting Cancer
A Volunteer’s Idea Unleashes the Passion and Power of Athletes and Donors
Boston, MA – December 22, 2011 – Waking up at five o’clock in the morning on a cold December Saturday for an intense three-hour spinning marathon at your local Boston Sports Club may not sound like a tempting idea. But for many, pedaling strenuously for 60 miles with 40 other weekend athletes and a determined instructor to help a family cope with the extreme challenges of cancer is the least you could do.
“People have found deep passion and drive to help families fighting the financial and emotional pain of cancer through these events,” says Kenji Freedman, a USA Cycling Elite Level Coach and Master Trainer at Boston Sports Club. “When individuals prove to themselves they can endure challenges for others, the giving effect is profound.”
In 2008, Mr. Freedman created a series of peer-to-peer endurance events to raise money for families with a child or young adult being treated for cancer through his volunteer work with Family Reach Foundation, a national nonprofit organization based in Boston and New Jersey. Since the first Holiday Spin event in Lexington four years ago, Mr. Freedman and Family Reach have conducted over 10 spin events, marathon fundraising programs, road race and extreme cycling challenges, and other peer-to-peer initiatives in different parts of the country. All told, these “Reach Series” events have generated over $200,000 to help families manage the many expenses that accumulate during a patient’s bout with cancer.
“We can see vividly how meaningful these events are to all of the participants,” says Rick Morello, President and Co-Founder of Family Reach. “Our Reach Series athletes and donors fulfill ambitious physical and financial goals to help families who are struggling to stay in their homes and support their children who are dealing with cancer, and that is inspiring to all of us.”
This year’s Holiday Spin events at the Lexington and Lynnfield Boston Sports Clubs generated over $35,000 in contributions from 80 cycling participants and their peer-to-peer donors. Mr. Freedman led the Lexington event while trainer and instructor Judy Insalaco continued her support of the mission by conducting the Lynnfield session. Funds will be used to help 30-40 families in New England who have a child or young adult with cancer. “Family Reach and these events truly make a difference in people’s lives,” says Leo O’Donnell, a Lexington spin event participant and longtime Family Reach supporter. “We have witnessed firsthand how cancer can inflict harm on a family, and it is an honor to join other athletes and donors to offer critical support.”
About Family Reach Foundation
Family Reach Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing financial relief and heartfelt support to families fighting cancer. The Foundation strives to reduce the often overwhelming financial and emotional burdens that families experience after a child or parent is diagnosed with cancer. Family Reach was originally founded in 1996 as a grassroots cancer support fund by the families of Christopher Colangelo and Kristine Morello-Wiatrak, who lost their battles against pediatric cancers in 1981 and 1995 respectively. Today, Family Reach works closely with leading cancer hospitals and their social workers to identify families in great need and provide timely, critical assistance. Over the last decade, the Foundation has helped nearly 2,000 families pay for everyday expenses and medical costs that often accumulate during a patient’s battle with cancer including mortgage, rent, transportation and insurance co-pays. Based in Parsippany, NJ and Boston, MA, the Foundation has established a growing network of private and corporate supporters to fund the mission and play a meaningful role in the overall fight against cancer. For more information, please visit www.familyreach.org.
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Contact: Rick Morello, Executive Director
Family Reach Foundation
(617) 223-1585
rjmorello@familyreach.org
