Bristol Myers Squibb has been sending out teams of staffers on their bikes to help raise millions for cancer patients for 10 years and is now celebrating that decade with a 3,000-mile ride.
BMS employees will celebrate a decade of what has become known as Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer (C2C4C) by cycling from Oregon to New Jersey. The goal is to raise $1 million in support of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, with all the money raised set to be matched dollar-for-dollar by BMS up to $500,000.
The first C2C4C ride took place in 2014. Since then, BMS has raised about $11.3 million for cancer research in the U.S. The Big Pharma has in recent years expanded the initiative into Europe, Japan and Latin America where employees can now raise funds for international cancer organizations.
The teams of BMS employees started their journey this month, departing from Cannon Beach, Oregon. Each rider will cycle about 225 miles over a three-day period before tagging in the next team to continue the ride across the country.
Among the 126 riders is Chris Haughey, a pediatric cardiac nurse and a father of three who is riding for his wife, Jennie, who was diagnosed with stage 3c colon cancer in 2018.
“Having dedicated the last four years of my life to supporting my wife through her battle with cancer, I understand the effect this disease has on patients and their loved ones, so it’s important to me to show up for others who are going through such a difficult, uncertain time,” said Haughey in a press release.
“Jennie’s strength and devotion to our three sons despite her challenging journey are an inspiration, and I’m honored to ride in her name to help fund vital research. I’m equally proud to work for a company that is so committed to making a difference.”
Catherine Owen, senior vice president and manager of U.S. cardiovascular, immunology and oncology at BMS, noted the program's significant growth and the impact it has made.
“It is awe-inspiring to think about how Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer has grown over the last 10 years—from a small group of employees looking to make a difference to this year’s highly anticipated, multi-country event—which speaks to the incredible passion our colleagues have for transforming the lives of people with cancer,” Owen said in the release.