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NORWALK, Conn. – More than 500 riders raised more than $300,000 Sunday during SpinOdyssey 2012 at Intensity in Norwalk to support breast cancer research by the American Cancer Society and Norwalk Hospital’s Whittingham Cancer Center.
SpinOdyssey, an all-volunteer effort, had raised $311,334 when the spinning stopped Sunday afternoon.
“As a survivor and a long-time SpinOdyssey participant, I continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity shown by the local community in helping us put an end to breast cancer,” added Norwalk resident and SpinOdyssey co-chair Terri Polley. “On behalf of breast cancer survivors and future survivors, I thank everyone who contributed to the success of SpinOdyssey 2012.”
Dr. Douglas Hurst, of the University of Alabama, and Brian Lehmann, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center — breast cancer researchers and past beneficiaries of SpinOdyssey research grants — also took part in the spinning.
JoyRide Cycling Studio of Westport was the top fundraising team, with a total of $53,252. Last year’s top fundraising team, the Westport/Weston Family YMCA, came in second with a total $43,935. Rounding out the top three teams was Team Equinox of Darien, collecting a total of $30,121.
Andrew Beal was this year’s top fundraiser, raising $19,025. Westport resident Iain Bruce, a member of the Westport/Weston Family YMCA team, was second, bringing in $16,800 in contributions. Third place went to Ed Oberholtzer, raising $6,160.
Fairway Market of Stamford, a major SpinOdyssey sponsor, provided food for participants throughout the day.
At a pre-event dinner hosted for SpinOdyssey volunteers, the New England Division of the American Cancer Society presented the event's planning committee with its Sandra Labaree Award for Volunteerism. In 13 years, SpinOdyssey has raised close to $3.5 million for breast cancer research and breast cancer patient and family support services.
Comments (2)
It is no longer new to our senses about the breast cancer fund-raising campaigns to help women affected by this disease and for further research studies to suppress the said disease. Personally, I give my all out support to help a breast cancer fund-raising campaigns. One of my relatives who close to me died because of breast cancer. The pain is so unbearable because of her loss that's why I decided to give help to those women suffering from breast cancer just like my relative. Helping other victims is one way of remembering her and her battle.
Terri Polley, left in the photo above, is co-chair, along with Patty Kondub, of SpinOdyssey 2012. Joyce Quinlan works for the Norwalk Y.