Pro Cycling Stars to Ride in Support of Breast Cancer

Opportunity to ride with the stars

Register today to join Kristin Armstrong, Mari Holden and Dede Barry in the YORK Tour de Pink 

Event Website

The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is looking for cyclists to join their all-star lineup for this year's YORK Tour de Pink presented by Hershey's. Three professional cycling stars -- Kristin Armstrong (TEAm Lipton), Mari Holden (T-Mobile Women's Team) and Dede Barry (former World Champion and Olympic Silver Medalist) -- have teamed up to ride in the YORK Tour de Pink, a cycling fundraising event benefiting the Young Survival Coalition, the only international network of breast cancer survivors, medical professionals and supporters dedicated to young women affected by breast cancer.

The Young Survival Coalition is searching for 100 devoted cyclists join these professionals in a four-day, 220 mile cycling journey from the Hershey's Times Square Store in New York City on Friday, October 6 to Hershey's Chocolate World attraction in Hershey, Pa., on Monday, October 9. All net proceeds from the ride will benefit the YSC's action, advocacy and awareness programs serving young women with breast cancer.

Interested cyclists should register today at www.youngsurvival.org/tourdepink. 

"We are ecstatic that Kristin, Mari and Dede will be joining us for the YORK Tour de Pink presented by Hershey's," said Young Survival Coalition CEO Michele Przypyszny. "In these three cyclists we have multiple National, World and Olympic Champions. Their participation will not only benefit our team of riders but will increase the visibility of our event and ultimately help us reach even more young women affected by the disease." 

A dynamic group of young survivors and supporters, the Young Survival Coalition is the only international non-profit organization dedicated to the critical concerns and issues unique to young women affected by breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women age 15 to 40. Through action, advocacy and awareness, the YSC seeks to increase the quality and quantity of life for all young women affected by breast cancer by educating the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities and influencing them to address the incidence of the disease in women 40 and under. In addition, the YSC serves as a point of contact and source of support for young women affected by the disease.

"I, like most people, have had multiple family members affected by breast cancer," said Mari Holden of T-Mobile. "I know I speak for Kristin and Dede in saying how glad we are to help a great organization like the Young Survival Coalition and be a part of such an inspirational day. Sign up today and come ride with us to help break the cycle of breast cancer."

Kristin Armstrong of TEAm Lipton enjoyed a breakout season in 2004 when she won the National Road Race Championship and earned a spot on the Olympic squad, where she was the top U.S. finisher (Road Race). Her success continued into 2005 as she won the U.S. National Championship (Time Trial) and was the Bronze Medalist at the World Championships Time Trial in Madrid, Spain. This year, Armstrong finished third in both the World Cup (Pursuit) in Australia and the World Cup in Montreal, while recently winning the 2006 Nature Valley Grand Prix. 

Mari Holden of T-Mobile Women's Team is a six-time National Champion and World Time Trial Champion in 2000. She also earned a silver medal in the 2000 Olympic Time Trial, becoming the first U.S. Olympic cyclist since 1984 to win a medal in road cycling. Holden has been touched by breast cancer, as several members of her family had been diagnosed with the disease, including one family member under 30. She is an active volunteer for the Breast Cancer Research Association Foundation. Holden is also a Member of the Athletic Advisory Committee to the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Cycling Board of Directors and an Athlete Ambassador for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. 

Dede Barry is a former professional racer and member of the United States Cycling Team from 1988 to 2004. A 2004 Olympic silver medalist, Barry also won three World Championship medals, two Pan American Games gold medals, two World Cup championships and six national titles before retiring at the end of the 2004 season. She was also named the 2004 North American Cyclist of the Year. Barry is now an author and columnist for various cycling and sports publications and serves as a coach and consultant.  

The 2006 YORK Tour de Pink presented by Hershey's is organized by volunteers and sponsored by York peppermint patties, Hershey's Kisses chocolates and Hershey's Nuggets chocolates. The event is produced by g4 Productions - an event planning and production firm specializing in participatory sports and charitable fundraising events.

To register for the YORK Tour de Pink presented by Hershey's, visit www.youngsurvival.org/tourdepink. Click on the link above.

About the Young Survival Coalition (www.youngsurvival.org)

The Young Survival Coalition was founded in 1998 by three women diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 32 who were discouraged by the lack of information available to young women diagnosed with the disease. With revenue over $1.5 million, close to 11,000 constituents, six full-time staff people and eight affiliates, the YSC works to change the face of breast cancer by advocating for more research on young women and breast cancer and providing this underserved population with programs and services specific to them. The YSC also provides a peer-support network of survivors as well as vital resources to decrease the sense of isolation felt by young women affected by breast cancer.