Community September 22, 2011
Gears, cheers, volunteers combine for unforgettable first Closer to Free
The medical oncology team prepares to set off.Before the sun had completely risen on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 10, more than 250 riders — many of them YNHH and Yale School of Medicine employees — rolled onto the field surrounding the Yale Bowl. They were riders of all ages and abilities who came out to ride in the first annual Closer to Free Bike Ride to benefit Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven.
Once the riders had registered they heard moving remarks from Marna P. Borgstrom, president and CEO; Thomas Lynch, MD, physician- in-chief, Smilow; and Mark Reitsma, a patient diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer who received life-saving care at Smilow. With that, riders moved to the gate on Yale Avenue and proceeded down Route 34 to Smilow, where they stopped briefly to be cheered on by enthusiastic employees, patients and volunteers who were on the curb in front of Smilow and also waving from windows.
To be successful, a ride like Closer to Free requires a lot of helpers. More than 400 — 150 of whom were YNHH employees — volunteered to work on staggered shifts from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some worked at the Yale Bowl parking cars, readying water and food for riders and taking care of riders' gear. Others drove behind the riders to ensure their safety, staffed rest stops from North Haven to Old Saybrook, and drove trucks to pick up tents, chairs and equipment.
The first rider to return to the Bowl after riding 25 miles in slightly over 90 minutes was Noel Benjamin who rode to honor his sister, Irmin Kellman, a YNHH housekeeper who died of cancer five years ago at the age of 56.
Another 25-mile rider was Donna Scarano, manager of satellite labs in Laboratory Medicine and herself a survivor of breast cancer, who promised a friend she had made during treatment that she would raise money for cancer research. "My friend did not survive her ovarian cancer but she was on my shoulder the whole ride cheering me on," said Scarano, a first-time cyclist who was one of approximately 25 survivors who rode. "This was a wonderful experience and I'm already planning to ride 62 miles next year!"
Throughout the morning and afternoon, cyclists returned to Yale Bowl where family, friends, fellow employees and cyclists, and pom-pom-waving volunteers greeted them. Some cyclists relaxed in the massage tent, others inhaled water and snacks and some danced to a live band.
"This first ride surpassed our rosiest expectations," said Jessica Scheps, manager of special events, Office of Development. "The riders came from all over Connecticut and our volunteers took good care of our cyclists and made the event go smoothly. We're already planning year 2!" So far the ride has brought in more than $400,000 and donations will continue to be taken until Friday, September 30. Those who would like to contribute may give at www.rideclosertofree.org. Scheps said that the tentative date for next year's ride is Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012.
The last cyclist of the first Closer to Free was a cancer survivor and student at Yale School of Medicine. When the remaining cyclists at the Yale Bowl heard that the final rider was almost "home," they rode out of the Bowl and escorted him to the finish line. About 11 hours after the ride started, he rode in to a hero's welcome. That's the kind of ride Closer to Free is.
