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Wilmot Cancer Institute / Giving / Events / Wilmot Warrior Weekend

 

Wilmot Warrior Weekend

Wilmot Warrior Weekend | September 21—22, 2024
Rochester, NY

Events include:
Wilmot Breakaway Ride
Wilmot Warrior Walk + 5K

Registration opens in April

Leaving cancer in the dust.

Our inaugural year was a tremendous success. Nearly 300 riders, 1,200 walkers and runners, and hundreds of volunteers came together to raise more than $353,000 to support cancer research and survivorship programs at Wilmot. Now, let's build on that momentum!

While we raised money that will prove vital to strengthening cancer research and survivorship care at Wilmot, we get something even more important out of events like this: inspiration and motivation to keep doing this critical, life-saving work. If you are interested, please take a look at our photo gallery on Facebook or this inspiring wrap-up video from the weekend. 

To learn more about this exciting weekend of events and to support groundbreaking cancer research at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, please contact Tyler Bowers at (585) 276-4715 or by email at tyler.bowers@rochester.edu.

About the Warrior Weekend

The Wilmot Warrior Weekend is the premier charity event offering cycling, a walk, and a run in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Whether setting the pace on a bike, a walking path, or on a race course, our warriors all have one thing in common­–they come together every year to raise money for cancer research and survivorship programs at the Wilmot Cancer Institute.

Together we can bolster lifesaving cancer research and help more patients survive and thrive following cancer treatment and care.

To learn more about this exciting weekend of events and to support groundbreaking cancer research at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, please contact Tyler Bowers at (585) 276-4715 or by email at tyler.bowers@rochester.edu.

Cancer Research at the Wilmot Cancer Institute

Our researchers and clinician-scientists remain dedicated to continuing the quest to conquer all cancers. 

Wilmot Cancer Institute scientists have a history of groundbreaking discoveries in cancer. For example, Wilmot researchers aided in two of the top five cancer discoveries of the past 50 years, as cited by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). These two achievements were contributions to the HPV cervical cancer vaccine and pioneering work toward anti-nausea therapies to help patients tolerate chemotherapy.

Wilmot is at the epicenter of cancer control research, as one of two U.S. hubs for the National Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). We are a trailblazer in aging and cancer research, helping write evidence-based guidelines​ for managing older patients taking chemotherapy and starting one of the nation's first geriatric oncology clinics.

Wilmot is at the forefront of lymphoma research by often leading the nation in clinical trial accruals, holding top positions in key organizations including the SWOG lymphoma committee, and being among the first institutions to offer cellular (CAR T-cell) therapy backed by ongoing research.

Our scientists remain as dedicated as ever. We have recently recruited an impressive new group of investigators, all top-flight in their fields. These scientists complement our existing team and represent the next generation, eager to fight cancer from all angles. 

They bring new perspectives, energy, and expertise in managing big data. Our researchers are studying circadian rhythms and sleep cycles; leukemia stem cells and how to use the latest CRISPR technology to identify targetable genes; and how antioxidants fuel cancer cells. They are also looking at genetic biomarkers, RNA’s role in tumors and genome mapping, epigenetics, and cancer cell programming. This group thrives on collegiality and welcomes support as they help patients and to bring new ideas to light. 

Learn more about other efforts.

Judy DiMarzo Cancer Survivorship Program

Today, approximately 16.9 million cancer survivors live in the U.S. and that number is expected to climb to 21.7 million by 2029. It is exciting to see more people living longer after a cancer diagnosis, but we have learned survivors face unique challenges.

In 2012, a gift from Richard DiMarzo in memory of his wife, Judy, helped Wilmot Cancer Institute launch the Judy DiMarzo Cancer Survivorship Program.

Funds raised through the Wilmot Warrior Walk support Wilmot’s survivorship clinic. Patients are referred by their oncology team if they are experiencing challenges that need special attention. They start with a questionnaire that gives the team a good idea of their specific challenges. Then, they meet with the program’s nurse practitioner who provides information and coaching as needed to help guide patients successfully through these challenges. This is in addition to ongoing surveillance of their cancer with their main oncology team. 

The Survivorship Program also offers educational programs for physicians, patients and families. Learn more about Wilmot’s Survivorship Program.