By james art Columbia’s community and supporters gathered in the Hudson Valley on October 6 for the eighth annual Velocity: Columbia’s Journey to End Cancer. This year, Velocity raised more than $1 million and attracted nearly 600 participants to support the work of researchers at the Columbia Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center. Velocity cyclists had the option of riding 15K, 50K or 100K, while many others participated through Velocity Your Way, choosing their own activities (ranging from hiking and yoga to Zumba and swimming).
But the numbers tell only part of the story. Velocity brings together doctors and their patients, Columbia researchers and cancer survivors, and people from across the university and region, all with the goal of supporting the fight against cancer.
This year’s Velocity attracted nearly 600 participants to support the work of researchers at Columbia’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
James McKiernan, interim dean of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, participated in the Velocity ride, as he has every year since the event’s inception. He offered words of encouragement to his colleagues and emphasized the importance of their collective efforts.
“Today we ride to celebrate survival, research and the memories of those we’ve lost, and to support some of the world’s brightest minds tackling the toughest challenges to help solve cancer,” said McKiernan.
The event featured several participants who had been successfully treated for cancer in Colombia, many of whom were joined by their doctors. Among them was Velma Perkins, a retired customer service manager for Verizon, who was diagnosed with a rare uterine sarcoma in 2016. Although chemotherapy kept the disease at bay for several years, it came back aggressively in 2019 and spread. At that point, she came to Columbia, where a team of experts in surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, colorectal surgery, and more came together to create a targeted program for her. As she continues her treatment, Velma still defies the odds, joining Velocity as an active participant alongside one of her doctors, Katie Spina, a radiation oncologist, and Kjersten Dosumu, a nurse practitioner.
Another highlight was the participation of Ben Schwartz, a 36-year-old financial planner and father of two who, at 29, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Schwartz is McKiernan’s patient, and at the race together they announced that Schwartz has been cancer-free for the past six years.
Lydia Cunningham, a registered nurse, told her story during one of the opening ceremonies. In the years since her first breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, breast cancer care has advanced greatly thanks to the type of research funded by Velocity. Although Lydia’s journey has been difficult, her targeted treatment has paid off and she was cancer-free at her last check-up last month. She visited Velocity with Kathy Crew, an oncologist from Columbia who has long been a part of Lydia’s journey.
Anil Rustgi and James McKiernan
Anil Rustgi, director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, thanked the participants.
“Work in breast cancer, brain tumors, pancreatic cancer and so many other areas is fueled by every mile you drive and every dollar you raise,” Rustgi said. “Thank you for getting up on Sunday mornings to bike together to change and save lives.”
Those interested can continue to support Velocity and help cancer research and care by making a donation.