Countdown to BellRinger: 100 Days Until the Community Bike Ride to End Cancer

Posted in News Release  |  Tagged BellRinger, cancer research, philanthropy

WASHINGTON (July 19, 2024) — Thursday, July 19, 2024, marks 100 days until BellRinger, a bike ride and community movement to end cancer. With efforts to build teams of Riders and fundraising gearing up quickly, BellRinger will take place on October 26, 2024, bringing together Riders of all levels: avid cyclists, casual riders, and people who simply hate cancer – all united in their desire to support cancer research at Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, DC’s only cancer center federally designated by the National Cancer Institute.

“BellRinger is a ride, not a race, but we are in a race to prevent, intercept, treat, and cure cancer;
and the momentum generated will resonate for years to come. The urgency of our mission underscores the importance of every contribution, every Rider, and every volunteer,” explains Louis Weiner, MD, Director of Georgetown Lombardi. 2024 marks BellRinger’s third year. Riders commit to raising between $1000 and $1500 while training throughout the spring and summer to take on 25-, 50-, and 100-mile routes from Georgetown University to Gaithersburg, MD. More than 150 teams and nearly 1,000 Riders join every year, and as a community, they have raised more than $3 million since 2022. 100% of funds raised by the BellRinger community supports groundbreaking research happening every day at Georgetown Lombardi. Money raised by BellRinger has already funded three different research projects, focusing on colorectal cancer, primary brain cancers, and reducing the toxicity of cancer treatments. BellRinger aims to have more than 1000 Riders and raise more than $1.5 million in 2024.

“I hope everyone takes part in BellRinger because they will love it. You get to see people on the start line, you get that tingling feeling, and you see everyone quite literally moving towards a future where cancer doesn’t exist. It’s so inspiring and exciting to see a community united around one cause,” 25-mile BellRinger Rider Becky Edison says.

“I can’t bring my dad back, but I will have the memories made through BellRinger to live out his legacy. Once my son is old enough, along with my other kids, I can see them doing the Ride in future years. My dad taught my son, Andrew, how to ride a bike. He was scared and had challenges, but my dad got him through it. One day, he will ride in BellRinger in honor of his grandfather,” adds Justen Baxter, a 25-mile BellRinger Rider.

Since 1970, Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center has worked to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer through innovative clinical research, patient care, and community education and outreach.

All are welcome to take part in-person or virtually with BellRinger to help in the fight against cancer. Learn more at BellRinger.org.