Team NetApp Pro Cyclist Steven Cozza Rides for Two Important Causes; Multiple Myeloma and Polio
Online, April 1, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The Giro Bello Classic is presented by the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa and the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research (IMBCR). Proceeds from this series of rides will benefit IMBCR, the only independent cancer research center dedicated to finding a cure for multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer and Polio Plus, a Rotary International Program.
The Double Century, Century Route, Metric Century, and Fun rides are all designed by Team NetApp professional cyclist, Steven Cozza, to be either challenging or fun. The Giro Bello Classic travels throughout the beautiful Sonoma Coast as well as the Geysers, and offers other great destinations for each ride. To see the routes, visit http://girobello.com/routes/
An IMBCR board member, a community member and someone who has been navigating treatment for multiple myeloma, Gene Berman was approached by a Santa Rosa Rotary board member to join forces to make this charity ride the best rider experience Sonoma County has seen, limited to just 500 riders. According to Gene, "it was a natural and serendipitous fit; four beautiful rides for two lifesaving causes." For all event details and to register, www.girobello.com.
The recent death of Geraldine Ferraro, the first female Democratic Party vice presidential candidate in 1984 from the effects of multiple myeloma brings focus to this disease. Ms. Ferraro was an honorary IMBCR advisory board member and a tremendous advocate of its work and that of its CEO and Medical Director, Dr. James R. Berenson. Ferraro was a staunch supporter of medical research and fully embraced the Institute's vision. She was the guest of honor at one of the inaugural fundraisers to support IMBCR and over the years, did much more than just lend her name to medical research for myeloma. CEO and Medical Director, James R. Berenson, MD states, "Geraldine Ferraro was great influence in bridging the relationship of patients to personalized treatments and the need for more research. All of us at IMBCR are grateful for her advocacy and vision."
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that resides in the plasma cells of patients' bone marrow. Research at IMBCR has created many of the novel and combination therapies used in myeloma treatment. The faces of patients who have myeloma are varied. It was once thought the disease occurred with a higher prevalence in older men (60+ years) and frequently in the African American population. However, due to possible toxic exposure risks, younger men and women serving in public safety, such as police officers and firefighters are being diagnosed at earlier ages.
