Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The 27th annual Ride for Roswell is back at full-strength at UB's North campus after hosting smaller events at multiple locations over the last two years due to the pandemic.
"For the last two years, we've had to host the event on different weekends and at different locations. This year, we're all back at the University at Buffalo's North Campus. All of our riders riding anywhere from three to 100 miles, will be leaving and coming back to a really great party here on Saturday, where we've got our Celebration of Hope back in full swing and back at capacity on Friday evening. We're really just looking forward to bringing everyone together," said Andrea Gregory, Director of Special Events for the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.
Planning the event and setting up is a process all its own.
"This event is a year-round event and we start planning for the next one before this one even happens. We have been getting ready for this for a long time," said Gregory, "We've got over 1,000 volunteers and we couldn't do this event without our volunteers. They are really bringing this all together and this is both an increase in riders and volunteers for this year's event."
The turnout for the ride on Saturday is expected to be strong, with over 7,600 bikers who will be departing in 15 minute intervals from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with over 500 of these riders identifying as a cancer patient or cancer survivor.
This year so far, this fundraiser has raised millions of dollars, reaching over $4.9 million as of Thursday.
"The money is really critical. The money is used for both people and patients that are currently going through treatment to help them as well as the critical research that it takes to find cures. It's a combination of those two things, helping current patients and helping patients that'll be diagnosed down the road. We really need the dollars to fund research and clinical trials to make a difference," said Gregory.
The Celebration of Hope kicks off the events this Friday. The evening will feature family-friendly activities in a festival-style atmosphere offering entertainment, the chance to learn more about the cutting-edge research taking place at Roswell Park and an inspirational and emotional stage program. The program will also feature the arrival of the Peloton, an Olympics-style procession of cancer advocates, researchers and cancer survivors and the lighting of the Ceremonial Torch. The event is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the formal programming beginning at 7 p.m.
"This is a community pillar. Everyone from the community comes together and I always say, 'There's no words to describe what happens this weekend.' It's something so much bigger than ourselves. Roswell Park is looking forward to watching the community come together and support us in such a big way. It's really powerful, meaningful and emotional. We're really looking forward to it," Gregory said.
Online registration for the event is closed but you can still sign up for the event via the check-in tent Friday, June 24th 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at UB North Alumi Arena and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Alumni Arena.
To view more details, click here.
See the player below for Andrea Gregory's full remarks: