Celebrate the Year of the Nurse and Midwife by Giving Back

Celebrate the Year of the Nurse and Midwife by joining fellow nurses in the fight against cancer!

Cleveland Clinic’s Nursing Institute invites nurses across the globe to participate in VeloSano – a Cleveland-based movement in which 100 percent of funds raised go directly to cancer research.

Latin for ‘swift cure,’ VeloSano launched in 2014, and since its inception, the year-round fundraising initiative has raised more than $21 million.

Driven by hope, there are many inspiring reasons to participate in VeloSano. For example, one of Cleveland Clinic’s nurses says her VeloSano participation is: “For the nurses that do the caring and the nurses we care for.”

Bike to cure

‘Bike to Cure’ is VeloSano’s flagship annual fundraising event and will be held July 17-18. Traditionally, thousands of riders come together for the weekend to cycle routes that range in distance from 10 to 190 miles. However, due to COVID-19, this year’s ‘Bike to Cure’ event will be a virtual ride.

The event will launch with a virtual kick-off party featuring live-streamed interviews with teams and participants, cancer survivors, researchers, physicians and sponsors on the evening of Friday, July 17.

Saturday, July 18 is ‘Virtual VeloSano Day’ and will host a simulated starting line, virtual group photos, and ongoing engagement through participants’ use of the #VirtualVeloSano hashtag on social media, and more.

Join our team, start a team or get involved in other ways

On behalf of Cleveland Clinic’s nursing organization, we would be honored to have nursing caregivers from other healthcare organizations join our Nursing Institute VeloSano team.

Alternatively, those interested in participating in VeloSano can also start their own team or register as an individual participant or fundraiser. Another option is to register as a virtual volunteer. Below is a quick overview of participation options:

• Rider: participants select a distance they would like to ride.
• Fundraiser: participants choose any activity, such as biking, running, swimming, walking, hiking or spinning and set their own goal.
• Volunteer: participants support riders and fundraisers by sending virtual cowbell or donating funds.

All participants have until October 1 to complete their activity and fundraising; however, donations are accepted year-round. Participants track activity and share progress using the Strava app via the VeloSano Strata Club, which lets donors know how they are supporting cancer research. Also, in 2020, there are no fundraising minimums or obligations.

Participation is more important than ever

As Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center’s Taussig Cancer Institute Chairman Dr. Brian Bolwell has said, “Cancer doesn’t stop for COVID-19. It’s more vital than ever that we collaborate to support our patients.”

Join us today! Together, we can support lifesaving cancer research by committing to a cause that will impact the lives of thousands and advance the future of cancer prevention, care and treatment – which is particularly important during this unprecedented time.

Cleveland Clinic cancer researchers compete for funds raised by VeloSano and seed money goes to proposals with the greatest promise. To date, VeloSano has supported 150 cancer research projects. Those projects often earn research grants from the National Institutes of Health, etc. The total return from additional external funding now surpasses $22 million, making the impact of VeloSano more than $43 million.