Bristol-Myers Squibb Employees Cycle for Cancer Research

After the success of the last two editions of the European Country 2 Country 4 Cancer ride, Bristol Myers Squibb employees from across Europe will again ride over 3,600 km from Germany to the UK. Along the route, they will ride through Switzerland, Italy, France, and Spain in an effort to raise funds for cancer research and organisations that support cancer patients in Europe. Each of the organisations benefiting from the ride are members of the Union for International Cancer Control.

The ride starts on 10 September 2018 and lasting 18 days. Over 80 European Bristol-Myers Squibb employees will be riding in 6 different Country teams, and each group will be performing one leg of the ride averaging a total of 720 km cycled in 3 days.

One rider, Jose Cabrera will be participating in his third Country 2 Country 4 Cancer ride! He is the team captain of the Spain & Portugal Team.  When asked what keeps inspiring him to ride, Jose said,

Undoubtedly, the desire to contribute to the project. For what it represents, inside and outside of Bristol-Myers Squibb, and raising funds for the Theodora Foundation. I am inspired to continue riding for all those patients anonymous and unknown to me; they have suffered or will suffer, as has happened to my father, so many of my friends, and, recently, to my own son. And last but not least, for all their support and inspiration: my wife, my daughters and my son. Thanks to all of them, as I say many times, when I no longer have my legs, I still have my heart. - Jose Cabrera, team captain of Spain & Portugal​

The participants are novice riders, who have committed themselves to 5 months of intensive training to complete their portion of the ride. Some are cancer survivors, others have witnessed the devastating impact of cancer on friends and family. All are dedicated Bristol-Myers Squibb employees who are riding to help raise funds to fight against cancer by supporting European cancer organisations, who are members of the Union for International Cancer Control.

Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Each year, there are 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths worldwide, and these numbers are growing. Within the next two decades, the number of new cancer cases is estimated to rise to 22 million. When Nordic Team Captain Linda Stalpe was asked who she was riding for she responded,

I am riding for my colleague Fabian. Fabian is now taking some time off from work as he is under treatment for his cancer. In the end this is not about us, the riders, it´s all about the patients suffering from this horrible disease.

Encourage your colleagues, families and friends to donate, as cancer affects us all. Each team rides and raises funds for members of the Union for International Cancer Control. If you would like to donate to the Country 2 Country 4 Cancer ride, please visit www.uicc.org/c2c4c.