SANTA MONICA, Calif. (BRAIN) — The three Tour de Pink charity rides held this year raised a total of $1.3 million for Young Survival Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Liv, the presenting sponsor of the Tour de Pink, has long been a supporter of YSC.
The third ride of the season wrapped up last weekend when more than 160 cyclists, including 47 breast cancer survivors, pedaled into Santa Monica.
YSC works with survivors and caregivers, as well as medical, research, advocacy and legislative communities to increase the quality and quantity of life for women ages 40 and under who are diagnosed with the disease. The money raised in Tour de Pink rides helps educate, empower, and connect more than 250,000 women living in the U.S. today who were diagnosed with breast cancer. In events over the past eight years, Tour de Pink riders have raised more than $10 million for YSC.
This year there were 432 riders across all three Tour de Pink events.
Liv has helped raise money for YSC and has provided Liv bicycles to dozens of riders over the years, including 18 bikes to cancer survivors taking part in this year's rides. "Over and over again, we hear from Liv bike recipients and other survivor riders how important it is just to pedal a bike," said Tabatha Kay, the Giant/Liv USA event manager who arranges the nationwide distribution of Liv bikes to survivors. "It's about regaining control of their lives and feeling free, confident and empowered."
"The 2017 West Coast Tour de Pink made history in many ways," said YSC's events manager, Danielle Armour. "We had the most number of breast cancer survivors ride the West Coast, and several of these women were able to ride because of our partnership with Liv cycling and their survivor bikes. And our riders were supported and cheered throughout the ride by wonderful Liv and Giant staff working at rest stops and driving support vans along the route."
Sixteen Giant/Liv bicycle retailers provided major support for Tour de Pink riders by helping build and ship bikes:
Bicycle Brüstop, Novato CA
Bicycle Warehouse – Carmel Mountain, San Diego CA
Bicycle Warehouse – Encinitas, Encinitas CA
Danville Bicycles, Danville CA
Erlton Bicycle Shop, Cherry Hill NJ
Giant Boston Crimson Bikes, Boston MA
Heartland Cycle, Wichita KS
High Sierra Cycling, Reno NV
Holmes Bicycle, Camp Hill PA
Joe Fix Its, Goshen NY
Martin's Bike Shop, Ephrata PA
Mountain Road Cycles, Chagrin Falls OH
My Buddy's Bike Shop, Livermore CA
Newbury Park Bike Shop, Newbury Park CA
The Bicycle Shop, State College PA
The Bike Rack, Washington DC
