The power of the bicycle and cyclists will be on full display from September through December across the United States, Europe, Japan and Latin America. Starting September 5 through October 1, more than 100 Bristol Myers Squibb colleagues will pedal in a 3,000 mile-relay from Cannon Beach, Oregon to Long Branch, New Jersey to advance cancer research as part of an annual bicycle ride known as Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer (C2C4C) which is in its 12^th year with a goal of raising more than $1 million for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer

“We ensure the most cutting-edge cancer research projects receive funding, and these grant awards would not be possible without the support of our corporate partners like Bristol Myers Squibb,” said Caroline Smith, director of Foundation and Scientific Partnerships at the V Foundation for Cancer Research. “We fund scientists at all stages of their careers and projects focused on all cancer types, and the C2C4C ride helps us drive forward this groundbreaking work. The science we fund today will have a long-lasting impact on the future of cancer research.”

The C2C4C bike ride goes well beyond the United States. In total, more than 300 Bristol Myers Squibb employees representing 33 nations will bicycle in similar rides in Europe, Japan and Latin America that will benefit cancer organizations that are members of the Union for International Cancer Control.

“I am inspired by our colleagues in 33 countries who are participating in C2C4C and riding and fundraising to advance cancer research,” said Christopher Boerner, PhD, board chair and CEO, Bristol Myers Squibb. “For 12 years, C2C4C has embodied our patient-centric culture. For the riders and those they cycle for, C2C4C represents the power of perseverance.”

Impact Beyond the Bike

In the United States, three cancer survivors are among the more than 100 participating cyclists including Kristine Creps of Toledo, Ohio, Jerry Thomas of San Diego, California and Carey Hudson of Gainesville, Florida. 

Creps is a 21-year lung cancer survivor who will cycle nearly 80 miles a day from September 17-19 from Denver, Colorado to Topeka, Kansas. Kristine has not been an active bike rider since she was a child. For someone living with one lung, the physical demands are immense. But she approaches this feat with the mantra she lives by, “I can do difficult things.”

Creps is cycling to fight the disease that changed her life and took the lives of loved ones, including her mother, who passed away from lung cancer, and her brother-in-law, who fought a 10-year battle with multiple myeloma. Creps not only draws strength from her own battle but from the same mindset that inspired her brother-in-law David during his cancer journey.

“He managed it from a perspective of everything he was doing was to help future patients. And I willalways love that and admire it about David,” said Creps.

“I may be riding with just one lung, pulling in half the oxygen, but I’m carrying David’s full spirit with me. We all have our own limits to push through, and this ride is an opportunity for me to push mine and help future patients battling this terrible disease.” 

Thomas is a seven-year brain cancer survivor. scientist, father and husband who commutes to work in San Diego several days a week by bike via a 30-mile roundtrip. Thomas will be cycling on September 14-16 from Salt Lake City, Utah to Denver, Colorado and he will be riding for his dad who is battling prostate cancer. He was first diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 39 in 2017 and had brain surgery in 2018. When he is not helping to advance potential new medicines at Bristol Myers Squibb, Thomas is an expert cyclist who has cycled 3,000 miles each year since 2019.

“My diagnosis has taken me and my family on a path we never expected filled with unknowns and uncertainty. That path has also been paved along the way with breakthroughs that continue to offer us hope,” said Thomas. “More than seven years later, I’m exploring new territory that I didn’t think would be possible, and I will continue to get on the bike and pedal uphill into the mountains because there is lots to be discovered.”

Hudson is 30-years cancer free after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 13. Her participation in C2C4C marks the first time she has cycled on a road bike. She will be cycling for many patients and her mom who passed away from cancer. Hudson will bike from Indianapolis, Indiana to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from September 26-28. As a result of her diagnosis, Hudson was inspired to pursue a career as a nurse in pediatric oncology. She has worked across a range oncology specialties witnessing advancements and progress first-hand.

“There’s hope. There’s hope because of all the research, all the education. Many patients can make the treatment work with their life now,” said Hudson. “With these advancements, there’s hope that you can have the life you’re supposed to have rather than the life a diagnosis tells you that you should have.”

Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer is in its 12^th year and since its inception, has raised more than $19 million to advance cancer research worldwide. 

“This year we celebrate 12 years of this human adventure that is the C2C4C ride. UICC has been with Bristol Myers Squibb for most of this incredible journey, and we are very grateful on behalf of our members for the riders’ dedication and the company’s generosity in supporting cancer research and people living with cancer,” said Dr. Cary Adams, CEO of the UICC. “It significantly boosts our collective efforts to improve cancer outcomes and reduce disparities in access to care. We once again look forward to this year’s ride.”

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