Featured Rider:
Kathy Caruso
Why do you participate in the Ride?
The year my husband, Phil Stock, and I married, he was diagnosed with cancer. Roswell saved his life. Nine years later a different cancer was diagnosed and treated at Roswell. We had 5 more years of adventure and love before he was overtaken by cancer. I know without Roswell, we never would have had the time we did to love, laugh and live.
What is your favorite part about Ride weekend?
The finish line because we hope for Roswell to find that cancer finish line. We all know the pain, fear and loss of cancer. So we hug and laugh and cry with hope in our hearts when we ride under that banner every year.
What have you been doing to raise funds for the Ride?
Most of our donations come from personal appeals. And honestly, Facebook is an easy way to get out the word. I do a post nearly every week and tag all my teammates.
The Ride For Roswell wouldn’t be possible without the thousands of volunteers whose passion and dedication help make our event possible. We’re currently looking for 2021 volunteers to join us for Ride weekend and we’d love to see you there.
Route guides stand along the routes and direct riders at turns and intersections. This is a great position to grab a friend, stand by the action and cheer on our riders. Guides are placed throughout all routes, so it will be easy to find a location that works best for you. Shifts run 3 to 4 hours from early morning until early afternoon. Sign up for as many or as little shifts you’d like.
Packet Pick Up volunteers help riders get all the things they need for Ride Day, including checking in, bibs, rewards and more. Shifts will be on Thursday, August 5 and Friday, August 6.
Help direct the flow of traffic to designated parking areas and get riders in and out of cars quickly and efficiently. This volunteer position is vital to keep the event running on time, as well as preventing minor and major accidents.
Document the Ride and capture riders, volunteers, rest stops, sponsors and more across four locations. Your images could be used on the Ride’s promotional materials, the website and social media platforms. Photographers must bring your own camera, have access to editing software and be able to upload pictures via Dropbox, Google Drive or WeTransfer.
All of our volunteer shifts can be scheduled based on your availability. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here or contact our Senior Volunteer and Operations Coordinator Dawn Hu at Dawn.Hu@RoswellPark.org.
Featured Rider:
Emily Ciraolo
Why do you participate in the Ride?
In memory of my cousin, Jacob Madonia, who passed away in 2018 after a 10-year battle with synovial sarcoma. He was a longtime supporter of Roswell, as well as an employee. All of the funds raised by Team Madonia (and The Lotus Flower Giving Society) will be donated directly to sarcoma research.
What have you been doing to raise funds for the Ride?
While I signed up back in April, I sort of put it on hold. Life has just been busy! My birthday is in June so I created a fundraiser a couple of weeks ago at the start of the month and encouraged friends and family to donate to my page in lieu of other gifts. I hit $1,000 raised today.
What is your favorite part about Ride weekend?
Truthfully, I don’t enjoy endurance events. I never did the Ride until Jake passed away. I would always support him and others with donations. It’s an emotional yet powerful experience to ride along survivors and supporters. I was caught off guard when I started tearing up as I crossed the finish line that first year. While I don’t necessarily enjoy cycling, I do it in memory of Jake because he never took for granted all his body could do — even when he was really sick. It is a reminder to be grateful for the body and health I do have, and to continue taking care of it. We only get one.
For myself <3
Featured team:
Team Tops Friendly Markets
Why do you participate in the Ride?
We participate to raise money to help find a cure for cancer. So many of our family members, coworkers and friends have been touched by cancer that we feel compelled to do what we can in whatever way possible. Since our philanthropic mission revolves around being neighbors helping neighbors, we believe this is a great way to show support of our community in need.
What does leading a team mean to you?
Leading a team is a humbling experience. It’s helping to support those on our team in not only fundraising, but in whatever they may need in preparation for the ride and on ride day. It’s not only being there for support, but also to help boast their accomplishments in fundraising and completing whatever course each member chooses. The comradery each year between riders always astounds us. Usually, we have multiple members of our team on each course and it’s always nice to see how they band together and support each other. We generally end up with “teams within the team” that ride together and compete to fundraise or donate the most. It’s all in good fun and benefits a great cause so it’s a win, win for us!
what is your favorite part about ride weekend?
Our favorite part about ride weekend is the overall atmosphere. We are generally on campus at UB at the food tents and there is always a palpable collective feeling of accomplishment and “neighborliness.” It’s like one big happy family that day. Everyone is there to for one single mission, to find a cure. In whatever capacity they are in, whether volunteering, or riding or virtually fundraising they have worked together for one cause and it’s a truly inspirational feeling and you can feel it in the air that weekend.
If you already have plans for Saturday, August 7 but still want to support the Ride for Roswell, we have the perfect opportunity for you. Riding your own way is your chance to experience the Ride on your terms. You choose the date, location and distance! This allows you to still support cancer patients at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center while fitting it into your busy, summer schedule.
Need some help creating a route? Our team is here to help! This year, we have even more curated routes for you to enjoy that take you all around Western New York
Here is a list of our favorite scenic, fun, and tasty bike routes. Take a look, pick your favorite and enjoy the Ride your own way.
This family-friendly route provides a safe environment for you to loop around the University at Buffalo’s North campus biking trail.
Let the train tracks be your guide and ride along Cheektowaga’s historic rails to trails.
Ride from one park to another along Ellicott Creek, around UB North campus and back.
Enjoy views of the Niagara River and stop for a sweet treat – you deserve it!
Brush up on local history as you ride along the Erie Canal from Amherst to Lockport, then back on a Ride-approved bike path.
Take a nice ride through the city and enjoy a cold beverage or two to fuel you. This is a great route to enjoy with friends!
Marvel at the public art, quaint villages and the beautiful views of the Niagara River as you ride around Lewiston and Fort Niagara.
Curious about Clarence? Why not explore it from your bike as you ride through the town into Akron.
Did you know there is a train track that loops around Kenmore into Tonawanda and back? You will after you finish your ride through this beautiful historic trail.
Explore the Clarence Parkway trail as you pedal your way through Clarence to Akron.
Ride along the Erie Canal and take in its beauty while also learning about local history.
If you love peaceful, open and lush views, this is the route for you! Enjoy the Clarence countryside while you ride to end cancer.
Do you know about Fredrick Law Olmsted? Learn about him and his work along this route. Take a tour of his parks on this epic ride through the city.
Let the water be your guide as you ride along Tonawanda Creek, down to the Erie Canal and back. You’ll pass by farms, villages and historical landmarks.
As always, no matter where you Ride for Roswell, it is important to practice safe cycling. Check out our biker safety tips here.
Featured Rider:
Mila Clauss
Why do you participate in the Ride?
What is your favorite part about Ride weekend?
I’ve never been, but I would imagine the energy is amazing and I get to ride with my family and friends!
My mom is a 3 time cancer survivor thanks to Roswell Park. My family will forever be grateful and I will ride every year for her.
I ride for my brother, Thad Hennessy, who lost his 7 year battle with cancer in January, 2020. We love him and miss him every day.
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, NY 14263
716-THE-RIDE
(716-843-7433)
716-THE-RIDE
(716-843-7433)
