By Beena Thannical
UAB News
The Deep South Cancer Foundation will kick off the Magic City Cycliad a major cycling event benefiting cancer patients, at Railroad Park on Saturday, March 25.
This year’s event includes a 10-mile brunch crawl with stops at We Have Doughnuts, Domestique Coffee, Silvertron Café and Buck Mulligan’s. There will also be 30- and 62-mile ride options featuring a post-ride brunch. All rides begin and end at Railroad Park, 1600 First Ave. South.
Cycliad is the signature fundraising event of The Deep South Cancer Foundation. With the premise that cancer is complicated but helping is not, the DSCF partners with individuals and families at the local level to overcome the daily challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis.
In the midst of fighting for their lives, many cancer patients are also faced with a host of small, daily necessities such as transportation, gas, groceries and lodging that can easily become barriers to their care.
“The reality is that with every diagnosis of cancer come fear, anxiety and confusion. Patients are faced with critical decisions and need help overcoming the barriers and daily challenges that cancer creates,” said Edward Partridge, M.D., director of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center “The patients are the rea-son we are so committed to Cycliad and the mission of the Deep South Cancer Foundation.”
Through strategic partnerships with UAB and 12 UAB Health System Cancer Community Network associate members, the DSCF is able to work at the local level with hospitals across Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi to identify individuals and families battling cancer and struggling financially.
Specifically, the DSCF provides direct resources to patient navigators at the net-work sites so they can help cancer patients get through their cancer journey. One hundred percent of Cycliad’s rider-designated dollars goes to the UAB Cancer Community Network site chosen by the participant.
The Magic City Cycliad kicks off the bigger Cycliad tour, which will begin Friday, March 31, with a 1,000-mile ride across the Deep South with stops at par-ticipating UAB Health System Cancer Community Network sites.
The hope is that cyclists and non-cyclists alike will participate in the Magic City Cycliad community event, which will benefit UAB patient navigators and ultimately their patients. Non-cyclists can participate by volunteering at the event, attending and cheering on the riders, or making a donation. The public is welcome throughout the day.
