From University of Chicago Athletics
The University of Chicago men's soccer team participated in the national Cycle for Survival indoor biking event on Sunday and also raised more than $6,000 for rare cancer research.
Every member of the UChicago team rode stationary bikes during the four-hour event at Equinox gym in The Loop. Approximately 100 groups signed up to participate on Saturday and Sunday in Chicago. The indoor team cycling event serves to raise funds for critical research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Cycle for Survival was started by Jennifer Goodman Linn and her husband Dave, a former soccer player at Northwestern University. Jennifer lost her battle to cancer in 2011, but her fearlessness and enthusiasm remains the driving spirit of the event. Northwestern soccer has been involved in the charity since its inception in 2007. Loyola University soccer joined the battle last year, and this year the three programs combined to raise more than $21,000 for rare cancer research.
The UChicago effort was supported by friends, family and alumni. Daniel Weis and Victor Raber led the fundraising efforts for the Maroons, and Paul Schuster, co-captain of the 1973 team and second all-time leading scorer in UChicago history, led the charge for the alumni. To date, Cycle for Survival has raised approximately $43 million to beat rare cancers and fund 85 clinical trials and research studies.
"Cycle for Survival is an amazing experience, and the entire UChicago soccer community made a tremendous effort in supporting it this year," said Head Coach Mike Babst. "For the past eight years, Cycle has been changing lives and giving people with rare cancers hope. We were thrilled to join the Northwestern and Loyola soccer teams in supporting such a great cause."
For more information on Cycle for Survival, visit their website: www.cycleforsurvival.org.