The 6th Annual LOWVELO Ride, which raises critical funds supporting MUSC Hollings Cancer Center’s lifesaving cancer research and features different cycling routes all either beginning or ending at Isle of Palms, takes place Nov. 2.
Riders choose one of five routes based on their desired distance: 10, 20, 23, 50 or 80 miles. There are many ways to participate, including a stationary ride and a virtual ride option. Each cyclist commits to fundraising at least a minimum amount based on their chosen distance.
The 23-, 50- and 80-mile routes travel across historic Charleston and over the Ravenel Bridge to Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms; the two longer routes continue out to Francis Marion National Forest and loop back to IOP. The 10- and 20-mile Island Rides start and end on IOP.
LOWVELO23 had more riders (1,334), volunteers (305) and dollars raised (more than $650,000) than any ride in its history. The funds and rider participation both represented a 50 percent increase from 2022, according to Kristin Lee, Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) digital marketing/events communication specialist.
“After five years, LOWVELO has cemented itself as one of the largest bike rides in the state and one of the largest benefiting cancer research,” said LOWVELO Manager Chris Winn. “We are hoping to recruit 2,000 participants this year and raise over $1 million for the research fund at MUSC Hollings. If we can get to that size, we would be the largest ride in the state, and to rally that many riders for cancer research would be a tremendous statement.”
Winn explained that LOWVELO keeps rider-raised dollars local; funds are applied directly to advancing treatments and patient outcomes in Charleston and South Carolina, with the goal of finding cures and eradicating cancer. Over the first five LOWVELO rides, participants have raised over $2.3 million combined.
LOWVELO supports an array of cancer research projects at HCC as well as fellowships and scholarships to help train the next generation of cancer researchers. One such project these funds helped establish is HCC’s CAR T-cell therapy research program, an immunotherapy approach now approved in the treatment of blood cancers, including lymphomas, some forms of leukemia and most recently, multiple myeloma.
LOWVELO funds have also supported projects on novel antiplatelet therapy, diagnostic biomarkers for liver cancer detection and augmenting immune response in head and neck cancers.
Winn said they are thrilled to be collaborating on LOWVELO with the City of Charleston, Town of Mount Pleasant, SCDOT, Charleston County, Berkeley County, Sullivan’s Island and their starting and finish line partner, the City of IOP.
“This event rallies municipalities, citizens, sponsors, community groups, corporate teams and the tremendous staff of MUSC. Cancer has had an impact on everyone, and it has unified our city in its wake,” asserted Winn.
To learn more about how to register for LOWVELO24 or contribute to the race, visit lowvelo.org.
By Colin McCandless
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