Velocity Raises $1.08 Million
In its fourth year, Velocity, Columbia's Ride to End Cancer, registered 525 participants who came together virtually and so far raised $1.08 million to support Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center research and COVID-19 recovery efforts.
This year’s program took a new personal approach called Your Velocity, bringing participants and supporters together virtually. By Oct. 4, Velocity participants completed cycling, walking, or even sailing challenges on their own, coming together online to celebrate.
Velocity Day kicked off with a special live Velocity Day Broadcast to show support for the patients, doctors, and researchers who will use the money raised to fund cancer research and COVID-19 recovery efforts. Velocity community members shared stories, videos, and photos of their various activities.
Contributions to Your Velocity were bolstered by a matching gift from the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation and support from generous participants, sponsors, and donors.
“The many ways our community came together to support Your Velocity this year are inspirational and heartwarming,” says Anil Rustgi, MD, Interim Executive Vice President and Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences & Medicine, Herbert & Florence Irving Professor of Medicine, and director of the HICCC. “The outpouring of support for the cancer programs at our Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and our COVID-19 recovery efforts has been remarkable. On behalf of my colleagues, thank you for your commitment to our mission.”
Donors and participants have the opportunity to continue raising funds through the end of the year.