Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Riders Raise Nearly $700,000 that will go to Help Achieve Victory Over Cancer

V Foundation cross-country bike riders

V Foundation Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer bike riders

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, is excited to announce that Bristol-Myers Squibb’s 2018 Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer riders raised nearly $700,000. Bristol-Myers Squibb matched all funds, for a total of more than $1.3 million for cancer research through the V Foundation. More than 100 Bristol-Myers Squibb employees participated in the three-week, cross-country bike ride, covering nearly 3,000 miles from Cannon Beach, OR, to Long Branch, NJ.

“We share the V Foundation’s mission of achieving Victory Over Cancer® and believe that continuing to advance cancer research, like the important work of the V Foundation, is critical,” said rider Johanna Mercier, head, U.S. and Large Markets, Worldwide Commercial, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “All of us who rode in Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer this year were inspired by our own loved ones impacted by the disease and the goal of helping all people with cancer live longer, more active lives.”

Tonight, during the 24^th annual Jimmy V Classic, part of ESPN’s V Week, Bristol-Myers Squibb representatives will present a check to the V Foundation for $1,350,000. Thanks to ESPN’s longtime partnership with the V Foundation, ESPN shared the exciting fundraising initiative.

“After losing my mother to cancer and being diagnosed myself, it was important for me to join the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Ride,” said rider Julie Haag. “But I didn’t just ride for my mom and myself — I rode for all cancer patients – pushing myself to raise money for cancer research and hopefully help improve the lives of all those impacted by this terrible disease.”

The Bristol-Myers Squibb employees who participated in the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Ride were largely novice cyclists and trained extensively to prepare for the cross-country relay, during which each rider covered approximately 225 miles in three days, inspired to help achieve Victory Over Cancer®. Between training and the ride, cyclists rode the equivalent of more than 6.5 times around the world. Some of the riders are cancer survivors, while others rode for loved ones affected by the disease. Throughout the ride, participants stopped in cities across the country to hear from researchers.

“It was so inspirational to be with the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer team as they took off from the Pacific and then again when they arrived at the Atlantic,” said Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation. “Each rider was so engaged and gave so much to make the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Ride a success and a true commitment to Victory Over Cancer®! All of us at the V Foundation are grateful to all of our friends at Bristol-Myers Squibb.”

The more than $1.3 million raised from the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Ride will enable the V Foundation to invest in breakthrough cancer research, including cancers that disproportionately affect minorities and cancer survivorship. Including the donations from the ride, Bristol-Myers Squibb has provided more than $6 million in charitable donations to the V Foundation to support multiple initiatives.

In its 25 years, the V Foundation has proudly awarded more than $225 million for cutting-edge cancer research. The V Foundation holds a 4-star (highest) rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of charities, and is among the top 4% of cancer charities of all charities evaluated. The V Foundation is a GuideStar platinum-rated charity.

For more information about the 2018 Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Ride, please visit cancerbikeride.org. For more information about the V Foundation, please visit jimmyv.org.