Cyclists for CT Challenge in Fairfield offer inspiration, hope

Event held under picture-perfect skies Saturday

A sea of cyclists at opening ceremonies Saturday morning at Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport. These dedicated men and women, who pedaled anywhere from 10 to 180 miles to raise funds for cancer survivors, are my heroes. The 180-mile ride was held over two days.

 

Here's another view of these super athletic cyclists before they took off Saturday.

WESTPORT - Yes, I know this isn't a View from the Valley as the name of this blog would suggest..but since I live in the Valley I thought I'd take some liberties today.

And of course there are way too many Valley residents living with cancer and in the midst of undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and other forms of treatment to fight the disease. 

I wrote a story about CT Challenge earlier this month. 

My husband Ralph and I volunteered Saturday at this event; he is working on a YouTube slideshow using our photos. I'll embed that in a future blog post, I guess! He's better at some of this technology than I.

We got involved as volunteers through my participation in a weekly exercise class for breast cancer survivors at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby. The class is led by cancer certified exercise trainer extraordinaire Dan Root, who works at CT Challenge.

Since the class is free for those of us in Griffin Hospital's survivorship program, volunteering at this wonderful event is one small way for me to give back. And it was truly a great day.

Former major league baseball player and manager Bobby Valentine, athletic director at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, speaks to fellow cyclists at the opening ceremonies. He was introduced by CT Challenge co-founder and President Jeff Keith of Fairfield, who survived cancer when he was 12. 

Derby restaurant holds benefit, donates to cancer organizations

Pictured Monday at Marco Pizzeria and Restaurant in Derby are from left, Camp Rising Sun volunteers Scott Capozza of Oxford, Lindsay LaFemina of Danbury, and Dan Root of Fairfield. They are next to a banner announcing a 12th annual fund-raiser to benefit the camp for children with cancer to be held July 17 in Branford.  Patricia Villers/Register

DERBY - My husband and I attended a fun event Monday night at Marco Pizzeria and Restaurant that supported two great causes: Camp Rising Sun, an overnight camp for children with cancer, and CT Challenge, an organization in Southport that empowers cancer survivors.

Kudos to Marco owner Tom Andrews for donating half of the proceeds from the event to the two charities. And plaudits go to his eight employees who donated their time.

Andrews, a Valley native who lives in North Branford, told me he would like to host similar events to help other local organizations raise funds.

And I must add that the thin-crust pizza was delicious!

Derby restaurant to host fund-raising event Monday

DERBY - Marco Pizzeria & Restaurant, 656 New Haven Ave., will present a special night to benefit Camp Rising Run from 4-8 p.m. Monday.

Restaurant manager Jordan Mann said in a release that 50 percent of the proceeds (dine-in and take-out) will benefit Camp Rising Sun’s cycling team at this year’s CT Challenge bike ride in July.

Mann said the restaurant is opening up special for Monday's event  and the entire staff is volunteering for the benefit.

Visit Marco's for a great meal and Wooster Street-style pizza and support two local charities that benefit cancer survivors.

The fund-raiser is only being held at the restaurant's Derby location, Mann said. 

For more information on the organizations, visit www.ctchallenge.org or www.camprisingsun.com.



This post is taken from a press release from Jordan Mann, manager, Marco's Pizzeria Restaurant,  Derby.