Century Ride Founder Presents 2011 Race Proceeds to Cancer Institute

To mark its seventh year, The Century for the Cure bike ride continues to break records, surpassing previous years’ efforts and raising $200,000 to directly benefit The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ).

A check presentation was recently held to recognize the efforts of more than 135 cyclists and 100 volunteers who participated in the event, which supports cancer research and treatment at New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.  

The man behind the extraordinary event is cycling enthusiast Scott Glickman. Since his successful treatment at CINJ for stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma over a decade ago, Glickman has had a desire to “give back” to CINJ through this annual mile-by-mile ride against cancer. A mixed community of avid cyclists, first-time riders, “virtual” riders who raise funds without cycling, and volunteers gather at Camp Riverbend in Warren Township annually to support the cause.  

Since the first Century for a Cure bike ride in 2005, which included just a handful of Glickman’s friends, the event has grown to involve hundreds of participants over the years and has raised an overall total of $825,000 to benefit CINJ. Specifically, a portion of the funds raised supports the research and work of Roger Strair, MD, PhD, chief of Hematological Malignancies/Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation at CINJ, who was Glickman’s oncologist during his treatment.

“The efforts of the Century ride coupled with Scott’s passion and dedication to the fight against cancer have given CINJ opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research we otherwise would not have. We are so fortunate and thankful to benefit from this event year after year,” noted Dr. Strair, who is also a professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Glickman expressed delight in the successful turnout. “It is always great to see this event continue to grow, and being able to support and give back to CINJ is extremely rewarding for me and my family. The amount of support coming from the community is overwhelming -- the amount of cyclists, volunteers, and families that come together to support cancer research is amazing,” he said.

The September event was sponsored by Genentech, Benefit Sources and Solutions, Overton Customs Brokers and JMK Auto Sales among others.