SARASOTA, Fla. – The Team Tony Cancer Foundation, a Sarasota-based nonprofit organization that provides free peer-to-peer cancer support and resources to cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers in the local community, recently raised $150,000 during its inaugural Gran Fondo Sarasota.
More than 400 cyclists participated in the event and an additional 100 attendees arrived to cheer on the cyclists before the Finish Line Party, hosted and sponsored by PGT Innovations for the fourth year. A variety of activities awaited cyclists and visitors at the Finish Line Party, including Chefs2U and Roaming Hunger food trucks, Carolina’s Italian Water Ice, beer and other refreshments, as well as vendors such as Orangetheory Fitness, LA Fitness, Endurance House Sarasota, Friends of The Legacy Trail and The Stretch Zone.
“It was exciting to see the event more than quadruple the attendance from the past year’s Cycle of Life ride, which transitioned to this one-day cycling event,” said Sarasota resident Tony McEachern, president and founder of the Team Tony Cancer Foundation. “So many people were out enjoying the event while also supporting our much-needed mission. I see the daily impact we are having on our cancer community, and I am looking forward to an increase in participation next year.”
Family-friendly activities included dragon boat and kayak rides and a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) junior obstacle course for children set up by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
The first-ever Gran Fondo Sarasota cycling event took place on October 7 at Nathan Benderson Park with four courses to choose from: the 100-mile Gran, 66-mile Medio, 33-mile Piccolo or 8-mile Corto cruiser ride.
In November 2018, the nonprofit will introduce a coffee-shop-style concept called the Cancer Connection Center (C3). C3 will be a safe, warm, supportive and welcoming environment designed to deliver peer-to-peer support and provide free resources and educational opportunities to enhance the well-being of those impacted by cancer and create a sense of belonging.
C3 will house Team Tony Cancer Foundation, Cancer Resource Network, Breast Investigators and Coming Together Against Cancer.
About Team Tony Cancer Foundation
A 15-year brain cancer survivor and an avid cyclist, Tony McEachern’s vision of creating a peer-to-peer cancer support foundation became a reality in 2010 when the Team Tony Cancer Foundation officially launched. Located in Sarasota, Fla., the nonprofit’s mission is to provide free peer-to-peer cancer support and resources to cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers in the community. To date in 2018, the Team Tony Cancer Foundation has already provided more than $25,000 in gas cards, flights, and other items related to a diagnosis to cancer fighters in Florida’s Suncoast area. To learn more about Team Tony, visit www.teamtony.org.