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Connecticut Challenge

Bronson Road Changed Lives of Fairfield Family

By Tom Renner  

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield's Dianna Cutler believes her husband's life was saved because of a bike ride more than five years ago on Bronson Road near Greenfield Hill Congregational Church. The trek was once part of the Connecticut Challenge. The course has changed but not Cutler's outlook. "I am,'' she said, "gratified for that hill."

Cutler will ride in Saturday's Connecticut Challenge with her husband, Peter, and children, Garrett, 11, and Elizabeth, 9. Her husband will pedal on the 75- or 100-mile journey, and she will ride with her kids on a 10-mile loop.

Dianna ...

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Bikers Up to Challenge of Annual Westport Ride

By Eric Gendron  07/31/11

WESTPORT, Conn. -- The hot morning sun glistened on the bikes and helmets of a sea of over 1,100 riders, stretching across the field at the Westport Hunt Club on Saturday. The huge crowd was an impressive sight considering just seven years ago in its inaugural run, the Connecticut Challenge was a modest ride of just over 150 bikers. Now it is one of the preeminent annual fundraisers for cancer research in the state, raising more than $1 million on Saturday.

Almost 70 of the riders were cancer survivors, of which five were in active treatment. More than 40 volunteers at the ...

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Norwalk Cancer Center Team's Ready to Ride

By Tom Renner   07/29/11

NORWALK, Conn. – Wilton's Tom Brewer couldn't say no. When people asked him to join a team riding in the Connecticut Challenge, he quickly agreed.

"I embraced it early. It seems like a good cause, raising money for awareness for cancer survivors," said Brewer, whose team represents the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital. "So many of these rides are for research. This is for families and survivors. That's an important distinction."

The ride begins Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport. Over 1,000 cyclists have registered to pedal ...

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Fairfield Rep To Ride For CT Challenge

By Greg Canuel   07/29/11

FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Tony Hwang is ready for new challenge. Hwang, one of Fairfield’s state representatives, will bike 25 miles Saturday in the Connecticut Challenge. The annual cycling event raises money for cancer programs throughout Fairfield County.

“Nearly everyone knows someone who is battling cancer or has battled cancer,” Hwang said. “This event is about supporting the ones we love and helping them through the trials and traumas that go along with fighting and beating cancer.”

This is the second year Hwang will ride the 25-mile route in the Challenge, which ...

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New Canaan, Darien Riders Team Up for Challenge

By Tom Renner   07/21/11

A team of riders from New Canaan and Darien will be among the 1,000 cyclists riding in the seventh annual Connecticut Challenge on July 30.  The ride funds cancer survivorship programs throughout the state.

Team Darien/New Canaan includes members of the Mazzone, Whittaker, Murphy and Gleason families. They are riding for the fifth straight year in the challenge.

Middlesex Middle School students Luke Whittaker, a two-time cancer survivor; Sammee Mazzone; and Josh Gleason, are training to ride again this year on the 25-mile course, along with friends and family ...

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Kids Ride and Raise Money for Cancer Survivors

By Tom Renner   07/18/11

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – This year's Connecticut Challenge will include a ride for young cyclists. It starts July 30 from the Fairfield County Hunt Club, same time and place as the adult event, and will raise money for cancer survivorship programs.

The junior ride will also include a few special, fun challenges along the way. Because participants will be riding on grass, the Junior Challenge is not suitable for young children on tricycles or with training wheels. But if you have a bike that you can ride on grass, the Junior Challenge is for you!

Only the first 100 ...

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CT Challenge Seeks Fairfield County Cyclists

By Greg Canuel   06/03/11

How far would you ride a bike for a good cause? Ten miles? 20? 100? Whatever distance you’re willing to go, the Connecticut Challenge is looking for you. The Fairfield-based foundation for cancer survivorship programs needs riders for its July 30 ride, which starts in Westport and span the western half of the state.

Founded in 2005, Connecticut Challenge donates all proceeds from its events to Connecticut hospitals with programs dedicated to cancer survivors and their families. The money goes to services such as counseling, medical care and family assistance.

“There ...

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Fairfielders Share Their Holiday Photos

By Greg Canuel   05/31/11

There was simply too much in Monday’s Memorial Day parade for TheDailyFairfield’s photographer to capture in our own photo gallery. Luckily, the rest of Fairfield has us covered. Readers and local groups sent in pictures of some of their favorite portions of the parade and other ceremonies.

The Connecticut Challenge sent in shots of its float in Monday’s parade, which won this year’s Civic Award. The float for the annual race to raise money for cancer survivor care featured a group of cyclists pedaling their way throughout the race on stationary bikes. One of those cyclists ...

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Fairfield Runner Completes First Marathon

By Tom Renner   04/25/11

Fairfield's Lisa Joaquim finished her first 26.2-mile race last week when she ran the Boston Marathon. Joaquim, owner of the Trek Bicycle Store in Fairfield, ran the race to raise funds for the Connecticut Challenge. She finished in 4:48:18. People can still support Lisa's cause by visiting her fundraising page. 

What do you think about Lisa's race in the Boston Marathon? Start the discussion below!

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Cancer Survivor Faces a Wheel Challenge

By Tom Renner   04/19/11

Amy Kaplan has been a virtual rider in the Connecticut Challenge for five years. This year, she's dropping the virtual.

The 60-year-old Fairfield resident said she will make her first Challenge ride this summer when the event kicks off July 30 from the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport. Kaplan is a three-time cancer survivor.

"I'm going to commit to riding 10 miles, but maybe I can get to 25,'' Kaplan said last week. "We'll see how it goes."

The former Westport resident has battled colon, cervical and breast cancer. She has been cancer-free for ...

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Biker Makes Boston Her Maiden Marathon

By Tom Renner   04/15/11

Running a marathon was one of the items on Lisa Joaquim's "bucket list." She's doing it in perhaps the best one of them all.

The Fairfield woman will run the Boston Marathon next Monday, her first attempt at the 26.2 mile distance. Normally, runners need to qualify for Boston. Joaquim is running for a charity, the Connecticut Challenge, and did not need to meet qualifying criteria. She found out in January that the organization had spots available for its charity team. She had been considering running the New York City Marathon for charity anyway. The chance to run ...

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Connecticut Challenge Bike Event Keeps Growing

By Tom Renner   04/14/11

The Connecticut Challenge keeps getting bigger and better. That's good news for both bike riders and for the cancer survivors that benefit from the event.

Registration opened Wednesday at CTChallenge.org. The rides will be held July 30 at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, a new venue, with 10-, 25-, 50-, 75- and 100-mile rides. Executive Director Bob Mazzone is hoping to have 1,000 riders for the event. Last year, more than 700 riders took part.

"It's not about the bike,'' Mazzone said at a press conference Wednesday at Butterfield 8 in Stamford. "It's about ...

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Cancer Survivor Shows Worldly Photos in Fairfield

By Greg Canuel   03/21/11

Carolyn Taylor was an accomplished photographer when her career and life took a turn in 2006. That year, she was diagnosed with ovarian and endometrial cancers. Through her survival of the diseases, she was inspired to document the effects of cancer throughout the world. And this Thursday, you can be among the first to hear the stories behind her project at the Fairfield Public Library.

Carolyn will lead a showing of “Without Borders: The International Face of Cancer” in a free event sponsored by the library and Connecticut Challenge. For the project, she traveled to Nepal, ...

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Fairfield Doctor To Speak To Cancer Survivors

By Greg Canuel   12/14/10

Are you, or is someone you know, recovering from cancer? Dr. Richard Frank of Fairfield wants to help you get through it. Frank, the head of Norwalk Hospital’s Wittingham Cancer Center, will speak at the Pequot Library Wednesday, Dec. 15, about his book “Fighting Cancer With Knowledge and Hope.” The talk is the first in a series sponsored by the Connecticut Challenge for cancer survivors and their families.

“The CT Challenge wants to make sure that all cancer survivors and their families, no matter where they are in their cancer journey, are empowered with ...

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