Jenna Eisenberg, a 2007 graduate of Stevenson High School, contacted me recently about an upcoming fundraiser called Ovarian Cycle Chicago that she has helped bring to our area.
This indoor cycling event, set for April 13 in Bannockburn, is a part of the national fundraiser Ovarian Cycle, which will be held in nine different cities this year to help raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). The organization is the oldest and largest charity in the U.S. funding ovarian cancer research.
Since 1998, it has awarded 217 grants to scientists at more than 65 leading medical centers in the country. These scientists are at the forefront of developing innovative strategies for early detection, exploring genetics that increase the risk for ovarian cancer, identifying new and better targets for treatment, deciphering how and why ovarian cancer spreads, and how to stop it.
“Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the U.S., and is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women,” said Eisenberg, who is now a middle school social worker in Antioch. “Approximately 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the U.S. each year, and about 15,500 women will die from the disease. Ovarian cancer has personally affected my family,” Eisenberg explained. “My mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the summer of 2011. After six months of chemotherapy and then radiation a year later in response to a recurrence, I am proud to say that my mother is an ovarian cancer survivor. Her incredible strength and courage have inspired me to bring the Ovarian Cycle fundraiser to Chicago.”
Eisenberg, who is the chairperson of the 2014 planning committee, explained how this fundraiser has grown in the past 10 years.
“Since the event was launched in Atlanta in 2004 with 40 cyclists, thousands of sponsors and volunteers have participated. … OCRF has given over $3 million in support of researchers working in Chicago — at Northwestern, University of Chicago and University of Illinois.”
The inaugural Ovarian Cycle Chicago ride is scheduled to run from 2 to 5 p.m. April 13 at Midtown Athletic Club, 2211 Waukegan Road, Bannockburn. To participate, there is a $50 registration fee, which includes a T-shirt, gift bag and refreshments.
A participant can ride individually for three hours, raising a minimum of $600, or as part of a team of three people, each riding for one hour, raising a minimum of $300 each.
Survivors can enter discount code “SURVIVOR” for free registration.
“I ride for myself, my daughter and the future generations of women that we hope will no longer have to be worried about this dreadful disease,” said Bethany Diamond, founder of Ovarian Cycle. “Exciting research is taking place, and we look forward to the day that ovarian cancer is in our rear view mirrors.”
Participants can pedal at their own pace and, if you are unable to ride, you can participate as a virtual rider to support the cause. There is no registration fee or fundraising minimum for virtual riders.
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