 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
Cure on Wheels, Inc. raises money to help individuals and families in the Tampa Bay area cope with a diagnosis of cancer through an annual bike-a-thon that travels along the beautiful roads just north of Tampa. Cure on Wheels, Inc. intention is to successfully meld support from committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual contributors. All are essential to Cure on Wheels, Inc. goal and model: to attain maximum fundraising efficiency while increasing its annual gift. Our hope and aspiration is to provide Tampa Bay families with necessary services after a potentially debilitating diagnosis of cancer. Benefactors of the 2011 ride include Moffitt Cancer Center and All Children's Hospital.
When one of our co-founders, Bill Riddle, moved back to Florida in 2003, one of the first things he looked for was a bike ride to raise money for cancer research. Unfortunately, there was nothing even close. There were rides for other charities but he had a personal reason to want to raise money for cancer. He lost his mother and uncle to the disease and wanted to find a way to make a difference.
He had been fortunate enough to find such a ride in Massachusetts and rode in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge (PMC) from 1998-2002. The ride was inspirational, challenging, rewarding and always different. Indeed, the PMC was the inspiration and model for starting a similar ride here in Florida.
The spirit of the PMC is one of selflessness, courage and even humor. In part, it's about making sacrifices and overcoming adversity. The riders come in all shapes, sizes and abilities but one thing they all have in common is a passion to make a difference and find a cure for cancer. They have raised over $300 million since the ride's inception. Jack Gallaway and Bill shared a vision to bring a ride like the PMC to Florida. In May, Jack added another important piece to the Cure on Wheels board, Mike Biety, partner of PeakBiety advertising agency. In August, Jack brought attorney Larry Heinkel on board to round out the board. The five of them founded Cure On Wheels. Jack lost his battle with cancer in 2008, but his spirit has become the essence of Cure on Wheels.
We like to consider our organization to be a fundraising enterprise that happens to have a memorable and enjoyable weekend of cycling thrown in as a bonus. There are many ways you can participate from riding, to volunteering to "virtual" riding. The founding members were personally committed to making this an experience anyone affected by cancer will want to be a part of for years to come and one that will fill them with hope and inspiration.
Moving toward a world without cancer,
Board of Directors, Cure on Wheels, Inc.
A non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation
Formed in 2007, the directors have fiduciary responsibilities that include: determining the annual donation to benefactors, budget reviews, and vendor contracts exceeding $25,000. Click each name for more information.
• Richard Spayde (President/Co-founder)
• Richard Lush (VP/Route Logistics Coordinator)
• Donna Cosenzo (Treasurer)
• Tom Couture (Vice President)
• Joshua Rivera (Secretary)
• Larry Heinkel (Co-founder/General Counsel)
• Jack Bevilacqua (Advisory Board Member)
• Steve Geiger (Advisory Board Member)
• Michael Biety (Advisory Board Member)
In 2010 the Cure on Wheels Bike Challenge ride event contributed $140,000 to the Tampa Bay community.
$15,000 was donated to Moffitt Cancer Center to benefit the Families First Program. This program provides much needed to support to children when a parent or family member is diagnosed with cancer. Sometimes children are "forgotten" during this very stressful and emotional time, but actually need the most help in understanding what is happening. They often feel alone and scared as not many other children are experiencing the same problems. This vital support begins at diagnosis of the parent/family member and continues during treatment, recovery, and even in the unfortunate circumstance of death of a parent or family member.
$65,000 was donated to Moffitt Cancer Center to benefit the APCC (Advanced Prostate Cancer Coalition).
$25,000 was donated to All Children's Hospital to provide specialized stationary bicycles for the children to use during extended stays for cancer treatment. These cycles not only provide fun for the children, but help keep them physically `active during treatment which helps in overall response to treatment and a better long term prognosis. In addition, our donation was used to purchase special Wii Fit game consoles for the children to use during their treatment allowing kids to be do what they love to do during long hospital visits.
And $35,000 was donated to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for patient services and blood cancer research. |
|
|
 |
|
|
Your tax deductible donation is great encouragement to the riders who are making a commitment in time & physical effort for cancer research and family support services. Their effort & your dollars benefit everyone!
|
|
|
We welcome you to join Cure on Wheels in a variety of volunteer positions. Find out how you, your family, your friends & your coworkers can get involved! It only takes a little time to do a lot of good.
|
|
|
Keep up with all the latest and greatest information about the 2012 Cure on Wheels Bike Challenge! From ride options, location, start times, sponsors, lodging, individual & team registration - we have it all!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mission Statement