Jan. 31, 2011

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern's men's and women's soccer and lacrosse teams are teaming up with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's (MSKCC) Cycle for Survival on Saturday, Feb. 5. The event is an indoor team spinning/cycling fundraiser that is being held at Equinox (200 W. Monroe) in Chicago.

The event began as a grassroots fundraiser co-founded by MSKCC patient Jennifer Goodman Linn, and has doubled in size each year, raising over $6.5 million to date.

"This is a very special fundraising effort in that it involves one of our own," Northwestern head men's soccer coach Tim Lenahan said. "Dave Linn, a former soccer player at Northwestern and his wife, Jennifer, have created a great event out of her struggles with cancer. Their energy and passion for this cause and Jennifer's story of how this foundation came about is very inspirational.

"We always talk about our program being family and as a team to be able to support this cause as a team reinforces our commitment to that Northwestern family. We participated last year with one bike and four players and raised $500. This year we have six bikes and will take the entire team with the coaching staff and hope to raise over $5,000.

"This year, the Northwestern women's soccer and lacrosse teams will be participating as well. The energy of the event is fantastic with other Northwestern alums, cyclists and local celebrities. It is a great feeling to be able as a team to participate in such a worthy cause and in the end feel great as a group about our efforts."

All of the funds raised through Cycle for Survival go directly to cancer research, with a particular focus on rare cancers such as brain, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, pancreatic, sarcoma, stomach and all pediatric cancers.

Among those celebrities scheduled to attend are former Wildcat and current Chicago Bears linebacker Nick Roach, as well as Bob Love of the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Fire Major League Soccer (MLS) team.

Nearly $2 million has been raised to date for the 2011 events in New York City, Long Island and Chicago. Approximately 200 riding teams are expected to participate in Saturday's event in Chicago.

For more information, visit www.cycleforsurvival.org.

To donate to one of the Northwestern teams participating, please click here and type "Northwestern" in the "Donate to a Team" search field.

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