Feature Story

Health Center Today, May 10, 2011

Calhoun Ride Back for Fifth Year

By Chris DeFrancesco

UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun, a three-time national champion and three-time cancer survivor, brings his annual fundraising bike ride and walk back to Simsbury for a fifth year.

The 2011 NBC Connecticut Jim Calhoun Cancer Challenge Ride and Walk will be held at the Performing Arts Center at Simsbury Meadows on Iron Horse Boulevard Saturday, June 11. The event benefits the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center and Coaches vs. Cancer, an American Cancer Society program.

There will be rides of 10, 25, 50 and 75 miles and a 5K walk/run. All participants in the ride and walk/run will receive a free gift bag and an invitation to a special closed practice of the 2011-12 UConn men’s basketball team at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs in October.

The UConn Health Center Department of Dermatology will offer free skin cancer screenings to anyone in attendance.

“I stand as a cancer survivor determined to help in the fight against this terrible disease,” Calhoun says. “I invite all of Connecticut to grab their bikes or their running or walking shoes and join me on June 11.”

Calhoun will participate in the bike ride along with a number of UConn men’s basketball assistant coaches and former players. His wife, Pat Calhoun, will lead the 5K walk/run with WTIC Newstalk 1080’s Joe D’Ambrosio, the radio voice of the Huskies, and NBC Connecticut sports anchor Kevin Nathan.

The event also includes a cookout featuring Price Chopper’s “House of Barbecue,” Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, live music by the Timmy Maia Band, hot air balloon rides, children’s activities and more. Also on hand will be UConn’s trophies for the 2011, 2004 and 1999 NCAA men’s basketball championships.

Children and well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome in the 5K walk. Register online at www.calhounridewalk.com. Visit the web site or call Gold, Orluk & Partners at 860-674-1500 for more information.

The ride and walk is presented by CIGNA and the Hartford law firm of RisCassi and Davis, and is dedicated in part to the memory of Eileen Fucile and Doris Davis.

Pre-ride Book/Bake Sale May 23

Joyce Fritz, captain of the UConn Fritz Free Riders, is organizing a book/bake sale to help riders and walkers bolster their pledges. Collection boxes are in place in the academic lobby, Munson Road, Medical Arts Research Building, Administrative Services Building, and UConn Health Partners in East Hartford and West Hartford to accept gently used books, DVDs and CDs (no textbooks) through May 20.

The sale will take place May 23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Food Court. Anyone with questions about donating or volunteering should email fritz@uchc.edu.

“Whether you want to raise $100, 200, or $1,000, it will be a great way to come together for a worthy cause,” Fritz says. “Even if you do not need help raising the money to meet your pledge goal, please consider helping us make this fundraiser a success.”