John Ragland, left, and Jeffrey Keith are founders of the Connecticut Challenge.
Photo credit: Connecticut Challenge

Registration is open for the 2010 Connecticut Challenge and, in its efforts to have participation from every community in the state, organizers are inviting residents to ride. The Connecticut Challenge is a charity bike ride that helps hospitals around the state to create special programs for cancer survivors.

The Connecticut Challenge is also seeking volunteers to help with the sixth annual event on Saturday, July 24 in Fairfield. Over 500 cyclists from across Connecticut are expected to ride in the event and volunteers are needed to help in all areas.

Anyone interested in riding, putting a team of riders together or volunteering for the Connecticut Challenge is encouraged to visit the event website.

Proceeds from the ride support a growing statewide network of hospitals that have cancer survivorship programs. By screening for long-term health and psychosocial effects from the disease and treatments, the goal of these programs is to educate and empower survivors to take back control of their lives from cancer and improve their quality of life.

The Connecticut Challenge was founded in 2005 to address the staggering lack of resources available to help cancer survivors after completion of their treatments. Since then, the CT Challenge has supported cancer survivorship programs at several hospitals and community support organizations across the state, including Yale Cancer Center in New Haven, CT Children's Medical Center in Hartford, UConn Health Center in Farmington, St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, Bennett Cancer Center in Stamford, Leever Cancer Center in Waterbury, Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam and Ann's Place in Danbury. The goal is to work closely with every hospital in state to bring support to Connecticut's 120,000 cancer survivors, no matter where they live.

The organization raises money primarily through the annual Connecticut Challenge charity bike ride. Riders of all ages and skill levels can register for a 12, 25, 50, 75 or 100-mile ride and raise funds from personal sponsors to support their efforts.