Escape From Granogue Increases Annual Donation to HERA Foundation

PR Log (Press Release) – May 20, 2009 – DENVER COLO. Escape From Granogue, an annual mid-Atlantic mountain bike race classic, brought more than 400 mountain bikers to Montchanin, Delaware, on May 3 to compete in five categories, from beginner to marathon, and raise funds for the HERA Women’s Cancer Foundation. The event raised a total of $3,200 for the non-profit’s ovarian cancer research grant program and awareness initiatives through online donations, a percentage of registration proceeds and a $550 contribution from Dansko, a Pennsylvania-based footwear company. A variety of donated gear and apparel was raffled off, which contributed more than 50 percent of the total funds raised.  In addition to surpassing 2008’s fundraising total, the event was an opportunity for two local ovarian cancer survivors and avid mountain bikers, Samantha Lockwood and Joyce Perry, to share their personal experiences as ovarian cancer survivors living active lifestyles.  Lockwood recently accepted a position on the HERA Foundation’s board and has been a longtime ambassador for the non-profit organization.

“Ovarian cancer can happen to anyone, even healthy, active women like those who participated in this race,” says Lockwood. “One month before Joyce was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she was competing in the women’s basketball senior Olympics. That hits home. It’s vital that we have these conversations and open people’s eyes to the reality of ovarian cancer. Awareness is crucial and unlike the science that’s needed to end this and other cancers, increased awareness is something we can make happen now by talking to our friends and families about symptoms.”

One in 57 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. With early detection, 90 percent will survive. Currently, only 24 percent of ovarian cancer is caught early.

Escape From Granogue was produced by Velo Amis—a coalition of local teams, shops and community members—who puts on the event every year as a celebration of the late Andrew Mein. Marc Vettori, race promoter, says, “Partnering with the HERA Foundation the past two years has allowed our celebration to give back to more than just the cycling community. Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, the race went off pretty much without a hitch. We are all very proud of the money and awareness we were able to help raise, which, for us, makes the race more special.”

To learn more about ovarian cancer, the HERA Foundation and its fundraising events, please visit www.herafoundation.org.