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Posts Tagged ‘Cycling’

Team Vanderkitten Partners with the Canary Challenge for the Third Year in a Row

March 18, 2014

The Canary Challenge has partnered with pro women’s cycling team, Team Vanderkitten for the third year in a row. The Vanderkittens are sponsoring the Canary Challenge ride on September 27, 2014, which benefits the Canary Center at Stanford for Early Cancer Detection.

Team Vanderkitten is a professional women’s cycling team that competes in major women’s cycling events around the world.

The Vanderkittens kicked off this year’s sponsorship of the Canary Challenge by holding an exclusive training ride, which met at the all-new Canary Center at Stanford For Early Cancer Detection in Palo Alto, California. The Canary Center is a state of the art research center that employs teams of scientists in the field of early cancer detection research.

Vanderkitten Team Director, Jono Coulter, “This is our 3rd year with the Canary Challenge. We’re bringing riders from all over the world: Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, to come and ride this event. Early cancer detection is super important to this community and we want to bring a lot of riders out to take advantage of the wonderful riding in Northern California and raise money for the Canary Foundation.”

The Vanderkittens, alongside Vanderkitten VIP riders, and Canary Challenge Team Captains, enjoyed a stunning ride that climbed through the hills of the Bay Area Peninsula and up the famous Kings Mountain climb which will be part of the course for the Canary Challenge on September 27, 2014.

Vanderkitten VIPs are ambassadors of the Vanderkitten brand and leading women in the outdoor lifestyle world. After the ride, the group enjoyed lunch, a tour of the Canary Center, and a presentation on early cancer detection research from Canary Foundation Executive Director, Ronica Sanders Smucker.

Canary Foundation is the world’s first non-profit organization dedicated solely to the funding, discovery, and development of tests for early cancer detection. They are the host and beneficiary of the upcoming annual Canary Challenge, a fundraiser bike ride that starts and finishes from the HP headquarters in Palo Alto. In 2013, the Canary Challenge raised over $800,000 for early cancer detection research, achieved by over 800 participants.

The Canary Challenge in 2014 aims to raise $1.25 million with 1500 riders. The Canary Challenge is the premier single day cycling fundraiser in the San Francisco Bay Area, touting rest stops featuring gourmet food, full support, and a family-friendly after party at the finish line.

The Canary Challenge is on September 27, 2014 and features 5 routes, ranging from 5k to 100mi. To sign up, visit www.CanaryChallenge.com.

Canary Challenge Training with Vanderkitten Racing

April 15, 2013

vander

Are you looking to step up your performance for the Canary Challenge on September 28? You are invited to participate in a special cycling training session hosted by Vanderkitten Racing! All Canary-registered cyclists are encouraged to attend, and are welcome to bring a friend for no charge.

For those not yet registered, the training is $25 (or you can register for the Canary Challenge to waive the fee). Don’t worry about getting left behind! This is a no-drop ride for beginners and intermediate cyclists.

Training Details
Sunday, April 21st
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Palo Alto, CA
Departs from California Avenue
(Exact location included in response to your RSVP)

 

Canary Challenge 2012: Ride for Life Raises Funds for Cancer Research

November 6, 2012

On September 29, 500 riders convened at VMware in Palo Alto to set off on the Canary Challenge ride. All together, we raised $514,000 to benefit the Stanford Cancer Institute and the Canary Center at Stanford. This year’s numbers far surpassed last year’s ride of 344 riders and $300,000 raised. Take note: we have even bigger plans for next year!

Join us on Septeber 28, 2013 for the Canary Challenge 2013. In 2013, we’re looking forward to bringing 1,000 riders in to raise $1M and we’ve added a fun family 5K route for cyclists of all ages.

Success! Canary Challenge Roundup Raises Funds for Cancer Research, Early Cancer Detection

October 3, 2012

Here at Canary Foundation we’re celebrating the success of another exceptional Canary Challenge race! We had a great time, and judging from the smiles we saw, you did too.

Canary Foundation is the world’s first non-profit organization dedicated solely to the funding, discovery, and development of tests for early cancer detection. Canary Foundation is dedicated to delivering early detection tests for solid cancer tumors by 2015.

We are so thankful for all the sponsor companies and volunteers whose generous contributions made the day a success – we really couldn’t have done it without you.

In the meantime, here are a couple of shots from the race for those of us who weren’t able to join us. For a full photo gallery, check out the slideshow on the Canary Facebook Page.

Canary Foundation volunteers at Rest Stop 2, where they helped hydrate and feed cyclists in need of a break.

Vanderkitten cyclist Maura Kinsella racing along.

Canary Founder Don Listwin with son Hunter gave riders words of encouragement before the race.

 

Lawrence Viariseo Rides the Canary Challenge

September 13, 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLWIyTEYYWc

Lawrence Viariseo has survived falling off a 100-foot cliff and breaking his back, paralysis from the waist down and bladder cancer. At 53, the Palo Alto native is voluntarily embarking on another challenge — a 100-mile bike trip to raise money for cancer research.

Viariseo biked in the Canary Challenge, a fundraiser for the Stanford Cancer Institute. The ride will goes from Palo Alto to Skyline Boulevard, through Pescadero and San Gregorio, onto state Route 1 and back down to Palo Alto.

In this video, he talks about his commitment to the Canary Foundation, and encourages other riders to get involved, help fundraise, and ride in the race.

To learn more about the Canary Challenge, visit www.canarychallenge.com. To read more about Lawrence riding the Canary Challenge, read “A measure of his heart,” an article published by Palo Alto Online.

Canary Challenge Update: Did You Know…?

August 31, 2012

Cyclists who have been training (hopefully!) and fundraising for weeks will descend upon the campus of VMware in Palo Also to ride in the Canary Challenge 2012 in September.  The Canary Challenge is one of the most picturesque rides on the west coast—going from the foothills of Palo Alto & Woodside, to Pescadero, out to the Pacific Ocean.

The Canary Challenge benefits the Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) and 100% of funds raised will be donated to the SCI for cancer research and innovative clinical programs.

The one-day ride is a fully supported ride that includes great food, generous amenities, stocked rest stops, SAG vehicles, medical support, spirited festivities, and wine & beer garden, and a community of riders who have been touched one way or another by cancer.  Learn more about the Canary Challenge on our website.

Some interesting facts about the Canary Challenge: Did You Know . . ?

  • The male to female rider ratio this year is 2: 1.  In 2011, it was 3:1.  What an increase in women riders!
  • The two biggest teams are Canary Chicks with 27 riders (4 male riders!) and Team Lauren (in support of LPCH) with 24 riders.
  • A bake sale can raise a lot of money! Avaya The Power of WeTM team held a bake sale at their corporate headquarters during the lunch hour and raised $1,343 in 3 hours. More »

Power Through: Century Training Tips

June 27, 2012

Al Painter is the founder of INTEGRATE Performance Fitness, and a supporter of the Canary Foundation. In this interview, he provides riders tools and tips for succeeding in the Canary Challenge. Learn more and register at www.CanaryChallenge.com.

Tell us about yourself and your training background.

I’ve been training folks for about 11 years, and I’ve been with INTEGRATE since January 2008. We do cycling-specific strength training, and we work with a ton of endurance athletes. We’re also very proud to have won the honor of “Top 5 Fitness Facility in the Bay Area” (#1 in the Peninsula) from SFGate.com.

We love working with anybody who already rides a bike or wants to learn how. It’s a blast to teach the basic skills to ride a bike correctly, and see their fitness levels take off and go through the roof.

Why do you support the Canary Foundation?

I’ve had a couple of relatives close to me pass from cancer, and it’s something very close to me. I don’t know anyone that I’ve met who hasn’t been touched by it one way or another.

Another reason I like the Canary Foundation is because it’s local. Companies like Livestrong are already very well supported in terms of participation, so they don’t need as much help. I wanted to support something more local and grassroots where my support and participation could really have a visible impact.

Tell me a little about the Canary Challenge. What can riders expect? More »

Let’s Ride!

March 28, 2012

John Novitsky is a Canary Challenge rider and volunteer, as well as a supporter of the Canary Foundation. In this video, John shares his motivation for participating in the Canary Challenge as well as words of inspiration for new and returning riders.

httpv://youtu.be/6ZppfNBauKs

The Canary Challenge is a fully supported bike ride, offering 50-kilometer, 75-kilometer, 100 kilometer, 100-mile rides. Funds raised in 2012 Canary Challenge will be donated to the Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) to benefit cancer research and innovative supportive care programs. Register now.

Rally Your Team for the Canary Challenge!

March 8, 2012

Dr. Fred Chin, Head of Cyclotron Radiochemistry at Stanford University Medical Center & Canary Challenge Rider, extends his passion for early cancer detection research beyond the lab, fundraising and promoting awareness through his participation in the Canary Challenge. He shares his motivation for creating and leading “Team MIPS” (Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford), leveraging the opportunity to bond and build relationships with other researchers and physicians on the team. Watch this short video to learn more about Fred’s experience, goals, and words of wisdom for new riders.

httpv://youtu.be/um5vGkRPAgg

Funds raised in 2012 Canary Challenge will be donated to the Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) to benefit cancer research and innovative supportive care programs. Cancer strikes about one in three women and one in two men in the United States. Canary Foundation, the producer of the event, is committed to identifying early stage cancers to save lives.

To register for the Canary Challenge, visit: www.CanaryChallenge.com