A Rider’s Road to Velocity
First-time Velocity Rider Danny Chavarria Honors Father-in-law's Memory
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Each year, the Velocity ride brings the Columbia community together in support of outstanding cancer research at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC).
Engaging a New Community of Supporters
Money raised from Velocity goes towards funding up to five Velocity fellowships, awarded to Columbia researchers launching innovative projects that address key challenges in cancer research. Beyond the financial support it brings, Velocity is also a treasured opportunity for patients and their families to reconnect, virtually or in person, with their care teams and celebrate alongside fellow survivors. This year, rider Danny Chavarria learned what that Velocity community is all about.
A biking enthusiast, Danny found his way to Velocity from an ad on his Instagram feed. He had been thinking about a way to honor his father-in-law who passed away from esophageal cancer in 2021. It turns out that the in-person Velocity bike ride was scheduled for the same day as the anniversary of his father-in-law’s memorial.
"We really bonded over being fathers, and he shared his love of motorcycles with me. It’s a different kind of bike, but I love riding too, so it felt like the perfect opportunity to honor him,” Danny says. Once he signed up, Danny worked quickly to get others on board, first recruiting his cousin, Mike, to ride with him and then collecting donations from other family members and friends. In the end, Danny raised over $1,000 for Velocity, and with each new supporter his purpose for riding grew. Beyond a way to pay tribute to his father-in-law, Danny learned about loved ones of friends and coworkers also battling cancer and decided to dedicate his ride to all those supporting him. His organizing for Velocity helped him build a community where everyone who joined in his participation could make an impact and share their cancer journey. “Being able to ride to recognize this community makes the event feel really special. It means a lot to feel this much support.” Although Velocity Day 2022 had to be canceled due to inclement weather, Danny still managed to make his own ride possible this fall, biking 100 miles with his family and friends supporting him along the way. A postponed Finish Line Festival took place on Nov. 16 to recognize and celebrate the Velocity community. Riders, along with their family and friends, gathered at Columbia University Irving Medical Center to celebrate patients, their caregivers, Velocity fellows and the broader Columbia community, all committed to advancing cancer research and care.
More than 500 people participated in Velocity 2022, raising over $1.1 million to help advance cancer research at Columbia. Since its inception, Velocity has raised $7 million, supporting numerous initiatives at the HICCC. Donations for the 2022 ride will be accepted through the end of the year.
A postponed Finish Line Festival took place Nov. 16 at Columbia University Irving Medical Center to recognize the Velocity community.
Engaging a New Community of Supporters
Money raised from Velocity goes towards funding up to five Velocity fellowships, awarded to Columbia researchers launching innovative projects that address key challenges in cancer research. Beyond the financial support it brings, Velocity is also a treasured opportunity for patients and their families to reconnect, virtually or in person, with their care teams and celebrate alongside fellow survivors. This year, rider Danny Chavarria learned what that Velocity community is all about.
A biking enthusiast, Danny found his way to Velocity from an ad on his Instagram feed. He had been thinking about a way to honor his father-in-law who passed away from esophageal cancer in 2021. It turns out that the in-person Velocity bike ride was scheduled for the same day as the anniversary of his father-in-law’s memorial.
"We really bonded over being fathers, and he shared his love of motorcycles with me. It’s a different kind of bike, but I love riding too, so it felt like the perfect opportunity to honor him,” Danny says. Once he signed up, Danny worked quickly to get others on board, first recruiting his cousin, Mike, to ride with him and then collecting donations from other family members and friends. In the end, Danny raised over $1,000 for Velocity, and with each new supporter his purpose for riding grew. Beyond a way to pay tribute to his father-in-law, Danny learned about loved ones of friends and coworkers also battling cancer and decided to dedicate his ride to all those supporting him. His organizing for Velocity helped him build a community where everyone who joined in his participation could make an impact and share their cancer journey. “Being able to ride to recognize this community makes the event feel really special. It means a lot to feel this much support.” Although Velocity Day 2022 had to be canceled due to inclement weather, Danny still managed to make his own ride possible this fall, biking 100 miles with his family and friends supporting him along the way. A postponed Finish Line Festival took place on Nov. 16 to recognize and celebrate the Velocity community. Riders, along with their family and friends, gathered at Columbia University Irving Medical Center to celebrate patients, their caregivers, Velocity fellows and the broader Columbia community, all committed to advancing cancer research and care.
More than 500 people participated in Velocity 2022, raising over $1.1 million to help advance cancer research at Columbia. Since its inception, Velocity has raised $7 million, supporting numerous initiatives at the HICCC. Donations for the 2022 ride will be accepted through the end of the year.
“Being able to ride to recognize this community makes the event feel really special. It means a lot to feel this much support.”
A postponed Finish Line Festival took place Nov. 16 at
Columbia University Irving Medical Center to recognize the Velocity community.
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