closer to free

More than 1,400 cyclists participated in the 12th annual Closer to Free Ride on Saturday

After months of planning and training, 1,400 cyclists made their way through New Haven and other parts of the state today, in the twelfth annual Closer to Free Ride. One hundred percent of the money raised goes to support Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center. “This is going to be a very emotional day,” Smilow Cancer patient Judy Williams…

Over 1,400 people are participating in the 12th annual Closer to Free Ride in New Haven on Saturday.

The start of the Closer to Free Ride is hours away and people are talking about the impact of the fundraiser on clinical trials, research, programs and patient support.

Steve Chase is a survivor and fighter who’s ready to participate in this year’s Closer to Free Ride.

There’s one team stepping up to the plate during Saturday’s Closer to Free Ride: Southern Connecticut State University’s Baseball team.

It takes a whole team of dedicated people to make the Closer to Free Ride happen every year. There’s one team stepping up to the plate on Saturday: Southern Connecticut State University’s Baseball team. “Yeah, I’m pretty excited actually, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said pitcher Nick Guarino. Many players will be there as volunteers, and...

It’s the weekend of the 12th annual Closer to Free Ride and there’s extra excitement this year because for the first time in three years, the ride is back in person.

The Closer to Free Ride benefits research and care at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center.

Phil Gotlick is an 8-year veteran of the Closer to Free Ride and will be riding again this year.

Sandy Cassanelli, of Glastonbury, who fought her own breast cancer battle, will be a first-time rider in this year’s Closer to Free ride.

Isabeaux Dickinson is 19 months old and loves rocks, leaves and toddling around in nature. “She’s great. She’s doing better than we could ever hope for. You would never know that anything ever happened to her,” said mom Nina Dickinson. The marvel over her health comes after Isabaeux was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma one month after she was born....

Isabeaux Dickinson is 19 months old and loves rocks, leaves, and toddling around in nature. She was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma one month after she was born.

Here’s why an oncology nurse working at Yale New Haven Hospital for three decades says she rides.

Whether you plan to do 10 miles or 100 miles in this year’s Closer to Free Ride to support cancer research and care, there will be a team of people ready to help you make it across the finish line.

Whether you plan to do 10 miles or 100 miles in this year’s Closer to Free Ride to support cancer research and care, there will be a team of people ready to help you make it across the finish line. Ride marshals are there when you need them, like Dr. Ehud Mendel and nurse Alienne Salleroli. They’re a team working…

Go to RideCloserToFree.org to register for the event on September 10th.

Frank Soltesz is now cancer-free and is ready for his first-ever Closer to Free Ride in September.

“What I wanted to do, I wanted to ride with the group the first time,” said Frank Soltesz. “Just to be part of it all, just to see what it’s like.” He was ready to ride in Closer to Free in 2020, but then the pandemic hit. He decided to hold off until the ride was back in person. While…

“Cancer has unfortunately been a part of my life for many years,” said Steve Maynard. Over the years, Steve Maynard has lost both his mother and mother-in-law, and close friend to cancer. At the Smilow Cancer Hospital healing garden Wednesday afternoon, he talked to us about them and the loss of his grandson.  The little boy loved being outside, whether…