It’s hard to believe that it’s time to launch BellRinger’s third annual Ride. It feels like just yesterday when we all sat down, thinking of bold new ideas to help grow the impact of our cancer center in our community. BellRinger’s Inaugural Ride in 2022 was an unqualified success, and last October was no different. We welcomed thousands of Riders, volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters, all focused on our mission to end cancer. While the windy weather made riding 25 miles no easy feat, I was moved by the spirit of the BellRinger community, riding mile after mile, cheering each other on.
As we gear up to take on BellRinger’s third Ride, I am filled with gratitude and pride for the incredible community that has banded together since the Ride’s inception in 2022. The growth of the BellRinger community over the past two years has been remarkable. Last October, we witnessed thousands of Riders, volunteers, and supporters come together, creating an atmosphere of unity and shared purpose. The momentum is palpable, and as we look ahead, we are on track to surpass last year’s participation. We recognize, however, that achieving our goals requires the collective effort of each member of this community. We need your help to ensure that BellRinger continues to be a beacon of hope for those affected by cancer. Your collective efforts have transformed what our researchers are able to accomplish, raising over $2.8 million for cancer research at Georgetown Lombardi. Imagine what we will be able to accomplish together over the next few years if everyone does their part.
Your contributions are not just tick marks on a fundraising tally; they are investments in the future of cancer research — the future of our family, friends, and even ourselves. The funds raised through BellRinger have been instrumental in advancing critical research projects that push the boundaries of what we thought was possible by supporting three faculty research labs:
- The Robbins Lab, led by Dr. David Robbins, focuses on colorectal cancer. Their work attempts to explain the signaling pathways that cause colorectal cancer to spread. The ultimate goal of this work is to identify new therapies to treat patients with colorectal cancer.
- The Ayad Lab, led by Dr. Nagi Ayad, focuses on developing new technologies and medications for the treatment of primary brain cancers such as medulloblastoma and glioblastoma. The overall goal is to identify patient-specific therapies for incurable forms of brain cancer.
- The Nair Lab , led by Dr. Sreejith Nair, is dedicated to unraveling the role of cellular RNAs in chemotherapy with the ultimate goal of harnessing this understanding to improve the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of cancer treatments.
Your support is not just a donation and BellRinger is not just a Saturday in October; it is a lifeline for those who depend on the breakthroughs that BellRinger helps make possible.
As we approach BellRinger 2024, I am filled with hope and optimism for what we will be able to achieve together. While BellRinger is a ride, not a race, we acknowledge that we are indeed in a race against time to intercept cancer and save lives. The urgency of our mission underscores the importance of every contribution, every Rider, and every volunteer.
I am excited to once again ride alongside the BellRinger community. The road ahead may be challenging, but with our collective strength, we can overcome the obstacles in our path and pave the way toward a cancer-free future.
Thank you for being an integral part of this remarkable journey. I can’t wait for you to join me out on the roads this fall.
Stay safe and be well,
Lou
