Cycle for Survival, a yearly fundraiser for rare care research, is to Los Angeles County this weekend.
The event, which began in 2007, was spearheaded by late Equinox member Jennifer Goodman Lin after she was diagnosed with a rare cancer called sarcoma and faced limited treatment options.
“She was getting care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which is the oldest and probably not the oldest and biggest cancer treatment hospital in the world. And even so, she had to hear the words, ‘Sorry, there’s nothing else we can do,'” JJ Sailer, an Equinox instructor and senior director of philanthropy, told KTLA 5.
Despite the grim outlook, Goodman wanted to support the doctors and nurses trying to improve her quality of life, so she and other Equinox cycling class members organized a fundraiser for rare cancer research at the fitness club’s New York location in 2007.
The group hoped to raise $1,000 but surpassed that goal by raising over $200,000.
Since its inception, Cycle for Survival has raised over $410 million, with every dollar going directly to research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Cycle for Survival provides a unique funding model, ensuring that all funds raised are allocated within six months to support real-time research and advancements in cancer treatment. This rapid distribution allows participants to see the direct impact of their contributions.
This year’s Los Angeles events will take place at the Equinox Sports Club Los Angeles on Saturday, with rides from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Another event will take place at Equinox South Bay on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Participants ride relay-style, with teams of up to eight people taking turns on stationary bikes over four hours. The event is open to both Equinox members and non-members.
“You just have to be somebody who hates cancer,” Sailer said. “It’s a big dance party, a celebration of the hard work that went into fundraising, and an opportunity to hear from doctors and patients about the impact of these donations.”
For those unable to ride, there are still opportunities to participate. Supporters can donate to teams, promote fundraising efforts on social media, or attend events to cheer on participants.
The atmosphere includes high-energy music, dancing, and interactive experiences beyond cycling, according to Sailer.
The Cycle of Survival event occurs in 15 cities nationwide yearly, and over 26,000 people are expected to participate this year.
More information about the fundraiser can be found here.
