During his participation in the Tour of Hope with Lance Armstrong in 2003, Dr. James Fetten, a partner at Interlakes Oncology and Hematology, PC and member of The Interlakes Foundation, witnessed first hand how physical exercise helped cancer patients and survivors improve their strength and endurance. It was an amazing demonstration of the power of the human spirit. As a direct result of his participation in the Tour of Hope, Dr. Fetten founded the The Interlakes Foundation Wellness Program now The Western New York Wellness. The main focus of the program is regularly scheduled bike rides for cancer survivors, the first of its kind in the Rochester community.

Dr. Fetten came to us wanting to get back into cycling and further our cancer awareness cause. His addition is a natural fit with our team’s connection to cancer survivorship and the Western New York Wellness.

Western New York Wellness, Inc. presents

RIDE TO SURVIVE 10.02.10

Tour de Rochester for LiveSTRONG Day

October 2, 2010

Lance Armstrong’s cancer diagnosis came on 10/2/96. And that’s the day he started fighting for his life – and for the lives of 28 million cancer survivors around the world! To commemorate this day, his foundation founded LiveSTRONG DAY. And this year, the Western New York Wellness Program has joined in the celebration! We are sponsoring a Tour de Rochester for LiveSTRONG Day! We’ve been cycling throughout the spring and summer months and we will wrap up the season with this more-than-appropriate event to honor the 28 million cancer survivors around the world!

The Tour de Rochester will be a 30 mile ride beginning at the Ferry terminal parking lot in Charlotte. The ride will use all paved bike paths and some roads. (See the link here for the map: Ride to Survive ) The ride offers many opportunities to shorten from the 30 miles, so we welcome one and all to join us for some or all of it!

We will ride from Charlotte, along the Genesee River to Latta Rd and along the Parkway Bike Trail to the 390 Bike Trail and go south to Ridge Rd. After a quick jaunt down Latona Rd and Long Pond Rd., we will pick up the Erie Canal Trail to Genesee Valley Park. After crossing the river, we will ride north along the river and re-cross the river on the Court St. Bridge and ride to High Falls. We’ll take the High Falls Bridge to St. Paul St. and go north for a mile down into the river gorge and cross over the power dam at Maplewood Park, through the park and continue to Lake Ave. Just past Riverside Cemetery, the bike path goes back down to the river and along the boardwalk at Turning Point Park. We continue along the river back to the ferry terminal.

If you’ve never taken this route, bring your camera! The sights at the dam, Maplewood Falls and along the river can only be accessed on foot or by bike. And with the autumn colors, it is a sight to behold!

Bring water, some fruit or an energy bar. Bring some lunch money because anyone who is interested can gather following the ride at a restaurant near the river.

We are asking every rider to make a contribution to the LiveSTRONG Foundation, so please bring yours with you and we will collect and submit as a testimonial to our WNYWP inspiration Lance Armstrong and all our survivor friends as well as a memorial for those for whom the answers did not come soon enough.

This will be our last group ride of the year – help us make it the BEST! Come on out and bring a friend or two. We look forward to seeing you there – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2010, 10 AM, Ferry Parking Lot, Charlotte, Rochester, NY.

See the LiveSTRONG Day page for this event

I cannot tell you how much this group has helped me since I became a member in 2006. This December 31st will mark 5 years that I have been cancer free. I credit this group with keeping me active and healthy.

Please help in this fundraising event with your generous pledge. We all know someone touched by cancer. The money that you pledge will contribute to funding the FREE physical activity programs offered by Western New York including:

- weekly outdoor bike rides (during the summer)
- weekly indoor spin classes (during the winter)
- outreach and education programs
- walking program for those just emerging from treatment and are not yet able to ride
- gym membership grants

The “Spin with the Survivors” event also provides a unique opportunity for all to help. This is our chance to help directly and in that spirit, I’ve chosen to Spin with the Survivors, and ask that you support me, remembering that your donations are tax-deductible.

To make an on–line pledge:
Step 1: go to http://www.wnywp.org/spin_about.htm
Step 2: Select the a name (Shannon Case) from the drop down list.
Step 3: Select a pledge amount.
Step 4: When ready to donate, click the “Submit Pledge” button.

Thank you for your support. Together, we will make a difference in so many lives!