$410,000 raised for pancreatic cancer research at 10th Annual Glotman-Simpson Cypress Challenge
August 14, 2017
Found in News
Vancouver, B.C. – Nearly 700 cyclists took to Cypress Mountain for the 10th Annual Glotman Simpson Cypress Challenge on Sunday, raising an incredible $410,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation.
The event, presented by Buntain Insurance and ZLC Financial, has now raised $2.5 million to advance research for one of the deadliest cancers facing Canadians today – pancreatic. All proceeds benefit the 600 British Columbians expected to be diagnosed with the disease this year, most of whom will not survive their first year post-diagnosis.
It’s this staggering statistic that makes events such as the Cypress Challenge all the more important, says Sarah Roth, President & CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation.
“We are incredibly grateful to the near 700 riders who climbed Cypress Mountain for the 10th-annual Glotman-Simpson Cypress Challenge,” she says.
“Every pedal and dollar raised enables BC Cancer to move the needle for pancreatic cancer research and care, benefiting the 600 British Columbians facing this disease every year.”
For BC Cancer patients such as Susan Stewart, who was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in December 2016, the event brings new hope for her family as she faces treatment.
Stewart was accepted to take part in a progressive clinical trial at BC Cancer that combines immunotherapy and chemotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer, which is resistant to most therapies. Since beginning the trial, which is supported by proceeds from Cypress Challenge, she has seen a significant reduction in her tumour size.
“I get asked many times if I feel like a guinea pig participating in this trial, but I’d rather call myself a pioneer”, she says.
In honour of Susan, her family climbed Cypress Mountain on Sunday as Team Pioneer Susan, raising an incredible $13,395 for pancreatic cancer research – the most of any team this year.
For Geoffrey Glotman, patients like Susan Stewart underscore the importance of Cypress Challenge in bringing new hope to pancreatic cancer patients. Glotman started the event in 2007 after losing his mother-in-law to the disease.
“By coming together at the Cypress Challenge, we are changing the outcomes for those facing this disease in our province,” says Glotman, managing principal of Glotman•Simpson Group of Companies.
To learn more about Cypress Challenge, visit www.cypresschallenge.com
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Media contact:
Vincent Matak,
Communications Coordinator
BC Cancer Foundation
c. 604-707-5946
vincent.matak@bccancer.bc.ca
