Newswise — The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center has opened registration for the inaugural Lobo Cancer Challenge. Cheryl Willman, MD, Director and CEO of the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, said that the Lobo Cancer Challenge is a new bike ride fundraising event. She said event proceeds will help to ensure that all New Mexicans have access to outstanding cancer care and benefit from the latest cancer research. The ride will take place September 23, 2017.

The bike ride will offer riders a choice of 25-mile, 50-mile and 100-mile routes. All rides will start and finish at Dreamstyle Stadium. The organizers are planning ride support for all routes and an event kick-off celebration for September 22.

Ride Director Amy Liotta, who leads the organizing team, said that riders will have different levels of fundraising goals. “We’ll support riders with fundraising tips, web pages, and ideas,” she said. She added that riders may choose the program they wish to support and may also form teams with other riders, volunteers and donors to meet fundraising goals. “Some people find it easier to work with others to raise money,” Liotta said, “and we’re thrilled to invite as many people as we can to take part.”

“We are grateful to Blake’s Lotaburger, and to all of our sponsors for supporting this event,” said Sara Lister, UNM Foundation Senior Director of Development for the UNM Cancer Center. Lister said the sponsorships help to cover the costs of the event, enabling the UNM Cancer Center to channel all proceeds directly to patient support and other programs. “Ultimately,” she said, “people with cancer in New Mexico will benefit.”

About The Lobo Cancer Challenge

The Lobo Cancer Challenge is a bike ride fundraising event to ensure that the people of New Mexico have access to outstanding cancer care and benefit from the latest cancer research right here, in their home state, at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center. All proceeds support cancer treatment, cancer research, clinical trials, and education for cancer healthcare professionals. Each of these components plays a significant part in delivering world-class cancer care — the cancer care New Mexicans deserve — in New Mexico. The Lobo Cancer Challenge is presented by Blake’s Lotaburger and is supported in kind by KOAT 7, 94.5 FM and AM 770 News Radio KKOB, and 610 The Sports Animal.

The inaugural bike ride takes place Saturday, September 23, 2017. Riders may choose between the 25-mile, 50-mile or 100-mile routes and will be required to meet a fundraising minimum. All rides launch from Dreamstyle Stadium, 1414 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. A kick-off event is planned for September 22, 2017.

To register as a rider, volunteer or donor, or to learn more, visit www.LoboCancerChallenge.org.

About the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center

The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in a 500-mile radius. Its 125 board-certified oncology specialty physicians include cancer surgeons in every specialty (abdominal, thoracic, bone and soft tissue, neurosurgery, genitourinary, gynecology, and head and neck cancers), adult and pediatric hematologists/medical oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, and radiation oncologists. They, along with more than 500 other cancer healthcare professionals (nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, navigators, psychologists and social workers), provided cancer care for nearly 60 percent of the adults and children in New Mexico affected by cancer. They treated 11,249 patients in 84,875 ambulatory clinic visits in addition to in-patient hospitalizations at UNM Hospital. These patients came from every county in the State. More than 12 percent of these patients participated in cancer clinical trials testing new cancer treatments and 35 percent of patients participated in other clinical research studies, including tests of novel cancer prevention strategies and cancer genome sequencing. The 130 cancer research scientists affiliated with the UNMCCC were awarded almost $60 million in federal and private grants and contracts for cancer research projects and published 301 high quality publications. Promoting economic development, they filed more than 30 new patents in FY16, and since 2010, have launched 11 new biotechnology start-up companies. Scientists associated with the UNMCCC Cancer Control & Disparities have conducted more than 60 statewide community-based cancer education, prevention, screening, and behavioral intervention studies involving more than 10,000 New Mexicans. Finally, the physicians, scientists and staff have provided education and training experiences to more than 230 high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral fellowship students in cancer research and cancer health care delivery. Learn more at www.cancer.unm.edu.