In less than a month, more than a thousand cyclists will help bring the world closer to cancer free.
All of the money raised for Closer to Free supports patients care and the search for a cure at Yale-New Haven’s Smilow Cancer Hospital.
This year Bank of America is a presenting sponsor.
Nicole Sweeten works in Stamford for Merrill Lynch, Bank of America’s investment banking division. She first volunteered at Closer to Free in September 2014.
"I was brought to tears because at that point we didn’t know my mom was OK," Sweeten said.
Just three weeks before race day, her mother Betty Sweeten had breast cancer surgery at Smilow Cancer Hospital.
"My mom is cancer free thanks to Smilow," Sweeten said.
That is why on Saturday September 10, Sweeten will be back at the Yale Bowl bright and early for the third time as a volunteer from Bank of America.
"There’s nobody there, it’s a ghost town and then all of a sudden it’s flooded, you’re tripping over bikes, there’s riders everywhere," Sweeten said, describing the atmosphere on race day.
Sweeten’s colleague Katie Flaherty is planning to cycle in the 25 mile race.
"I’m just so proud to be part of the day, I literally can’t wait," Flaherty said. "We all know someone that has battled cancer and hopefully survived their journey and I like my colleagues would love to see cancer be eliminated."
Sweeten is forever thankful to the doctors at Smilow who caught her mom’s cancer early enough to save her life.
"It’s just so emotional knowing that all the money earned at this event goes towards helping Smilow and helping this hospital that helped my family so much," she said.
NBC Connecticut is also a proud sponsor of this year’s Closer to Free. You still have time to register as a rider or volunteer.
