April 30, 2018

Cleveland Clinic Launches VeloSano Kids to Raise Money for Pediatric Cancer Research

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In an effort to unite communities and families to raise money for pediatric cancer research, Cleveland Clinic has launched VeloSano Kids, a year-round community fundraising initiative. One hundred percent of dollars raised supports lifesaving pediatric cancer research at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.

The official launch for VeloSano Kids kicked off April 16 with a student-organized fundraiser at St. Rita’s Catholic School in Solon that raised $13,000 over a two-week period.

St. Rita’s Catholic School in Solon raised nearly $13,000 for VeloSano Kids.

“The energy and enthusiasm of the students and staff at St. Rita’s is an inspiring example of the impact kids can make when they come together to give back,” said Rabi Hanna, M.D., medical director of VeloSano Kids.

Trike & Bike rides are also being introduced as a unique way to fundraise for VeloSano Kids. Trike & Bike, presented by Cedar Point is a series of community-organized cycling events geared toward children 3 to 12 years old. As the presenting partner, Cedar Point will provide a complimentary ticket to each registered Junior Rider. Every dollar raised by Trike & Bike participants will benefit VeloSano Kids.

Initial “Trike & Bike” events include:

  • Bay Village – May 19th
    • Get Out Festival: 28795 Lake Road, Bay Village, OH 44140
    • 11 am – 1 pm
  • Shaker Heights – July 14th
    • Hathaway Brown School: 19600 North Park boulevard, Shaker Heights
    • Time TBD
  • Hudson – August 11th
    • Hudson Park Estates Pool: 2600 Blue Heron Drive, Hudson, OH 44236
    • Time TBD

Cleveland Indians pitcher, Corey Kluber, and his wife, Amanda, are graciously matching the first $20,000 in donations raised through Trike & Bike. Not only will this generous donation make an impact on lifesaving cancer research at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, it will serve as a great incentive for the Junior Riders. The Cleveland Indians are a founding partner of VeloSano.

For more information on Trike & Bike benefiting VeloSano Kids, visit giving.ccf.org/trikeandbike.

Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children. One in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer. Only 4 percent of federal government cancer research funding is allocated to study pediatric cancer research, and since 1980, fewer than 10 drugs have been developed for use in children with cancer.

Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a national leader in pediatric cancer and blood disorder care. Cleveland Clinic Children’s pediatric oncologists provide cutting-edge clinical trials and therapies that offer hope for treating a variety of malignant and nonmalignant diseases, immunologic diseases, and metabolic disorders that were once thought to be incurable. Cleveland Clinic Children’s is consistently ranked among the nation’s best pediatric cancer programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Latin for “swift cure,” VeloSano is a year-round, community-driven fundraising initiative with the mission to advance lifesaving cancer research at Cleveland Clinic. The flagship event is “Bike to cure” weekend taking place each July. Thanks to VeloSano partners whose sponsorship helps cover the operational event costs, 100 percent of the dollars raised directly supports the cause and in just four years, over $12.5 million is already hard at work in the fight against cancer.

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 52,000 employees are more than 3,600 full-time salaried physicians and researchers and 14,000 nurses, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic’s health system includes a 165-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 11 regional hospitals, more than 150 northern Ohio outpatient locations – including 18 full-service family health centers and three health and wellness centers – and locations in Weston, Fla.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2017, there were 7.6 million outpatient visits, 229,000 hospital admissions and 207,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.

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