Island cyclist to participate in benefit ride

Grand Island Dispatch, April 6, 2007

Grand Island resident Chris Gibas announced this week he will be cycling in the upcoming “America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride” to be held in Lake Tahoe, Nev., in honor of Patrick Lalewicz, a blood cancer patient. Gibas said he was invited by the Western New York and Finger Lakes chapters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to join a program called Team in Training, which it sponsors.

“Team in Training is the world’s largest and original endurance program, which the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society developed several years ago to raise funds for research and patient aid,” Gibas said. “The program trains people of all ages from beginners to experts to cycle a century ride (of 100 miles) in honor of a leukemia, lymphoma or other blood cancer patient.

“While doing this, each participant is asked to raise a minimum amount of money,” Gibas said, adding he has committed to raising a minimum of $4,700.

“The Society is committed to finding a cure for blood cancers while improving the quality of life of our patients and their families,” said Nancy Hails, executive director for the local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The signature campaign will play a major role in helping the chapter reach its goal, she added.

Those interested in assisting Gibas in reaching his goal in honor of Lalewicz may do so by sending a check payable to “The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,” and mail it to the chapter at 4053 Maple Road, Ste. 110, Amherst, N.Y. 14226, c/o G. Gibas.

For further information about the program, contact the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 834-2578.