Bristol Myers Squibb’s Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Ride Celebrates Over $1.3 Million Donated to the V Foundation for Cancer Research
Riders cycled from Oregon to New Jersey to fundraise for innovative cancer research
CARY, NC (October 3, 2024) – The V Foundation for Cancer Research is proud to announce that the annual Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer ride, a cross-country charity cycling event hosted by Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), has raised more than $1.3 million for groundbreaking cancer research. These funds, which include a $500,000 match from Bristol Myers Squibb, will benefit groundbreaking cancer research at exceptional research institutions across North America.
Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer was established in 2014 and the event has continued to garner excitement from new and returning riders, all Bristol Myers Squibb employees, who are passionate about advancing innovative research. The V Foundation became the beneficiary of the ride in 2018, and the event has raised more than $10.3 million for the organization since that time.
“Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer is an extraordinary initiative led by Bristol Myers Squibb and its employees, and we’re grateful for their unwavering commitment to game-changing cancer research. Not only have the riders trained for many months, they also spent that time raising critical funds to support the V Foundation,” said Shane Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. “We cannot overstate the importance of these fundraising efforts. Dedication to defeating cancer is the reason the V Foundation can fund the most innovative research across North America and accelerate the pace of Victory Over Cancer.”
The ride began on September 6 in Cannon Beach, Oregon, and covered nearly 3,000 miles over 27 days, officially reaching the New Jersey coastline on October 1. Each rider covered approximately 225 miles over their team’s three-day segment, passing the journey onto the next team at hand-off cities across the nation.
“Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer is a meaningful tradition at Bristol Myers Squibb where employees can go beyond their daily work to help cancer patients,” said Wendy Short Bartie, General Manager & Senior Vice President, US Hematology and Oncology, Bristol Myers Squibb. “We are honored, once again, to support the V Foundation to help raise funds for research that can make a genuine difference in the lives of people living with cancer.”
The Bristol Myers Squibb employees who participate are selected through an application process and range from novice to advanced riding experience. They begin building their endurance for the event five months prior to the ride, while concurrently fundraising for the V Foundation. Riders rally their personal networks to support the V Foundation’s mission of achieving Victory Over Cancer®, a cause that is very personal for many.
One of this year’s riders, 29-year old Steven Plesh of Mesa, Arizona, rode 225 miles in the first leg across Oregon to honor his mother who is a breast cancer survivor. Plesh learned of his mother’s diagnosis when he was 3,500 miles from home working in a remote part of Alaska. “Ever since her diagnosis, I have longed to help raise awareness about early detection, which helped save her life,” said Plesh.
The V Foundation holds 12 consecutive 4-star (highest) ratings from Charity Navigator, designating the organization among the top 2% of all charities evaluated. All donations benefit the brightest minds in science who are doing groundbreaking research across all cancer types. To learn more or to donate, please visit www.v.org.
For more information on the 2024 Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer ride, please visit cancerbikeride.org.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $353 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee and ad-hoc reviewers. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V Foundation is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.
About Bristol Myers Squibb
Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Michael Susong
michaels@intrepidmg.com
760-681-3866
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