Time to Ride For Roswell

Annual Cycling Fundraiser To Be Held Next Weekend in Buffalo

It's that time of year to ride for a good cause.  The 15th Annual Ride For Roswell will take place Saturday June 26th in an effort to raise money for cancer research. 

The Ride is celebrating it's 15th Anniversary. The Ride has raised more than $10.7 million for Roswell Park Cancer Institute since its inception 15 years ago.

Now drawing pledges and participants from across the country and Canada, The Ride For Roswell uses its collective strength to help ensure cancer research is always funded and that the most advanced treatments and world-class care are always available to patients.

The West Herr Auto Group is proud to be participating again.  All of us at West Herr have been touched by cancer in some manner.  We will be operating a rest stop along the bike route in Ellicott Creek Park (Shelter #15) from 8AM-12:30PM. 

Take a look at our photos from last year's event here.

All along, Roswell has been offering multiple training events and other types of preparation for riders. The final ride preparation training event will take place this Saturday at University of Buffalo's North Campus. Our recent blog post showed how Roswell offered training to riders on emergency weather related situations. 

All routes with the exception of the Peloton start and end at University at Buffalo North Campus (Baird Point area) – Amherst, NY. The Peloton starts at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and ends at UB’s Baird Point.  Maps are avaiable at the ride website. 

There is still time left to donate to a rider or volunteer.  To get involved visit the Ride for Roswell website today. 

Update on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 2:18PM by Josh Kruk

The 325 Mile Ride For Roswell

Gordon Gross on his trek from Ann Arbor To BuffaloGordon Gross is not your average retired attorney.  Gross is more than just dedicated to raising money for cancer awareness, he's fully devoted.  Gross is currently en route from Ann Arbor, MI to Buffalo on his bicycle.  His 325-mile bike ride will conclude with the Ride For Roswell this Saturday. 

Gross is aiming to raise $50,000 for cancer research.  In 2000 he raised $70,000 with a similar ride. 

For the full article on Gordon Gross read the Buffalo News story on him here.

Learn How To Predict Storms With Help From Roswell Park

Roswell Park Offering Exclusive Weather Training To Riders

The annual Ride For Roswell is coming up and it's never too early to prepare for inclement weather.  That's why Roswell is offering an exciting new training seminar to prepare riders for whatever Mother Nature may throw at them. 

Ride For Roswell and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) are teaming up to provide volunteers with SKYWARN training on Thursday May 13th.  SKYWARN training teaches volunteers how to spot storms, predict upcoming weather and how to react in a weather related emergency.   

The SKYWARN program is sponsored by the National Weather Service and is aimed at raising awareness and saving lives during harsh weather situations.  The idea is to create a network of trained "weather spotters" across the country.

"The most important tool for observing storms is the trained eye of the storm spotter," the National Weather Service said.  "Storm spotters are, and always will be, an indispensible part of the severe local warning program."

The training is open to the public. Roswell is encouraging all Route Guides and Riding Marshalls to attend as well as all other participants who are interested. There are only 100 spots available and reservations must be made. 

Event details are as follows:

Time: May 13, 2010 from 7pm to 9pm
Location: Erie County Training Academy
Street: 3359 Broadway Avenue
City/Town: Cheektowaga, NY 14227

This year's Ride For Roswell will take place Saturday June 26, starting on the north campus of the University at Buffalo. Here is a map of one of the more popular routes on the ride:

The Ride For Roswell starts and finishes at the University's Baird Point, an outdoor Greek-style amphitheater located on the southern shore of the campus' Lake LaSalle. 

For more information visit any of the following sites:

Ride For Roswell

Roswell Park

Ride For Roswell Facebook

Ride for Roswell Ride Spinning Event

Indoor Training Session to Raise Money for Annual Cycling Fundraiser

The Ride For Roswell Ride Spinning Event gives everyone in the greater Buffalo area a chance to join the fight against cancer before the annual Ride For Roswell cycling fundraiser on June 26.  The Ride Spinning event is a free indoor training session offering cyclists a chance to raise money for Roswell and increase community awareness for the main cycling event. 

The Ride Spinning session takes place Saturday March 13 with registration starting at 11:30 AM.  Cyclists can choose training sessions ranging from 1-4 hours.  Cyclists can train at the Buffalo Athletic Club's Downtown Buffalo or Williamsville locations or the World Gym in Hamburg.

Roswell offers a multiple training sessions in an effort to promote a healthier lifestyle for riders.  A full list of training sessions is available through Roswell's Ride Fitness Club.

When you support The Ride For Roswell in any fashion, your gift has a meaningful impact on cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  Many riders, patients and survivors have shared their stories as to how the Ride For Roswell has touched their lives.  View these stories here.

This event is pivotal for anyone who wants to get involved in the fight against cancer.  Now more than ever Roswell needs support in finding a cure. 

West Herr Makes A Difference in the Fight Against Cancer

WEST HERR MAKES A DIFFERENCE

BY MARY JAYNE MURACO

I recently had a profound experience at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.    Within a period of three weeks this summer, my brother Bill and my sister Nancy, were both diagnosed with cancer.  As you can imagine this has been very difficult for my family.  Bill was diagnosed with stage three Lung Cancer and Nancy with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Bill, my older brother, is fifty-five years old and has been going to Roswell Park  for his treatment.   He raves about the great care he is getting.  He says every appointment is so organized and he never has to wait long.  The compassion shown by all of the employees of Roswell is outstanding. 

Roswell Park BuffaloWhen, Nancy who is forty-nine years old, was given the bad news, Bill encouraged her by insisting that she go to Roswell also.   I recently took Nancy to Roswell, early in the morning to have a test where they had her swallow a pill which contains a camera to read her insides.  She had to wear a pack that resembled a bomb and return to Roswell at 4:30 in the afternoon. 

While we were in the waiting room, a pretty middle aged woman was standing near us.  She had a baseball cap on to cover her bald head.  Nancy commented to this woman “I hope I look as good as you if I lose my hair.”  The woman took off her cap and had colorful pictures and notes written all over her head.  She said “The neighborhood kids draw on my head to make me smile.  Are you new to Lymphoma?”   Nancy shook her head yes, with tears in her eyes.  The woman replied “Give me your phone number and I’ll give you mine, so we can talk.  I’ve had five chemo treatments and I can help you through it.”  I was touched by her compassion and warmth.

Billy was going to Roswell for radiation at 4:20 in the afternoon, every day, five days a week.   I called him that day and told him I’d take both him and Nancy to their appointments since they were at about the same time.  We drove together and joked about Bill’s bald head and Nancy’s bomb pack.  Who could have ever imagined that I would be driving both my older brother and younger sister to Roswell Park at the same time?  It seemed surreal at the time and I kept wondering if all of this was really happening.

 When we arrived at Roswell, we walked through the doors to go to the radiation clinic for Bill.  I was so full of pride and comfort when I saw West Herr Automotive Group proudly displayed on the wall.   Words can’t describe how it gave me strength to know that I work for a company who has contributed so much to Roswell. 

Cancer touches so many lives.   When it is your own family who is dealing with this disease, the reality of how important this institute is, hits home.  I am thankful for all of the research they are doing in hopes of finding a cure for cancer.  The feeling you get when you are in Roswell Park is so different than any other hospital, I have ever been in.  Currently, my brother is doing very well as his tumor has shrunk.  Nancy has two more months of chemo and then hopefully will be in remission.   The staff at Roswell are wonderful and always there to answer questions or provide a smile of encouragement.

 I wanted to share my story and thank our company for all they do for this wonderful place of hope and healing.  In time, I am hopeful Roswell will find a cure for my brother and sister.     

More information:

About Cancer

Give to Roswell

 

Scott Bieler President of West Herr wins Katherine Anne Gioia Award for volunteer leadership

Roswell Park Cancer Institute All Star Night gala 2009 tribute video to Scott Bieler, President, West-Herr Automotive, recipient of the Katherine Anne Gioia Award for volunteer leadership.

In the shot, Brad Hafner (Founder of West Herr), Tony Helta General Manager West Herr Ford, Scott Bieler President West Herr, and John Wabick VP.

Ride for Roswell, this Saturday.

"Dust off your bikes and break out the water bottles because it's almost time for The Ride For Roswell. More than 8,500 people are expected to participate in this annual event this year. The event will start at the University at Buffalo's Baird Point in Amherst on Saturday, June 27^th." -BuffaloRising.com

This is the 14th year  for the "Ride for Roswell" and it looks like it will be the most sucessfull ever. The weather looks great, Saturday should be mostly sunny with highs in the upper 70s,  for the thousands of bicyclists partisipating in the ride.

This year there are 8 routes mostly starting at UB, various times throughout the day:

• The 62.5-mile route begins6 am from Baird Point
• The 44-mile route begins at 7 am from Baird Point
• The 33-mile route begins at 7:30 am from Baird Point
• The 30-mile route starts at 8 am from Baird Point
• The 20-mile route starts at 9 am from Baird Point
• The 8-mile starts at 10 am from Baird Point
• The 3-mile starts at 11 am from Baird Point
• The Extra Mile Club Peloton starts at6:30 am from Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Ride for Roswell 2009The Ride For Roswell is an annual celebration of community support for Roswell Park Cancer Institute and its core mission to understand, prevent and cure cancer.

A team of West Herr Volenteers will host one of the rest stops, providing fruit, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, water, and other snacks.

If you cannot attend the event you can still donate to the cause. The address is

The Ride For Roswell
PO Box 644
Buffalo, NY 14240-0644.

Links:

• Ride for Roswell home page
• Become a virtual rider
• WGRZ Story
• Buffalo Rising Story

Update on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 9:52PM by Kevin Leigh (West Herr)

Ride for Roswell a 2 million dollar sucessRide for Rosell earned more than 2 million... WOW.

In a message on their web site, Roswell thanks the riders and supporters.

"Thanks to more than 8,500 riders, volunteers and supporters who came out to UB's Baird Point on Saturday, June 27, The Ride For Roswell 2009 raised $2.2 million in support of cancer research and patient care at Roswell Park Cancer Institute! This year, more than 500 riders raised at least $1,000 each to join the Extra Mile Club--a 50% increase over last year's Extra Mile Club membership"

Upcoming WNY Events

Upcoming WNY Community Events

As summer quickly approaches the three Community Organizations that West Herr and many of you have so generously supported over the last several years will be holding their major fundraising events of the year. All three of these organizations provide an invaluable service to our community that we cannot afford to lose. They are again this year hoping for our support, below is a brief description of each of the organizations upcoming events.

 

Hospice Walk.....Sunday, May 17th

The walk begins at 11AM, this year we will be meeting at the all new Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf (near HSBC Arena and the Naval Park) at around 10-10:30, look for the West Herr tent. We take a short walk through downtown Buffalo which usually takes about 30 minutes to complete and is followed by lunch. Each of your stores has a walk captain that can help you with registration and provide you with additional information. If you don’t know who your stores walk captain is just see your GM and they will be able to help you. West Herr has for the last three years been the #1 fundraiser for this event and we’re looking to keep that streak alive!

Ride for Roswell.....Saturday, June 27th

We will again be manning one of the many support stations along the route for the Ride. This is a morning event and we are usually done by noon. We prepare and distribute drinks, fruit and sandwiches to the riders as they pass our location.

Gus Macker.....Wednesday, June 24th –Sunday, June 28th

This is a 3 on 3 basketball tournament which takes place downtown in front of City Hall. This is an event that relies heavily on West Herr’s support from a people perspective. With over 1000 teams participating in the Event it requires over 500 volunteers to be successful. As in years past your GM’s will have a signup sheet in their office in early May with all the times and jobs listed.

We would like to Thank you all in advance for any help you might be able to provide any or all of these great organizations. Your continued support makes a tremendous difference in ensuring the success of each of these events!

Scott, Brad, John & Bill

Update on Monday, June 29, 2009 at 5:25PM by Kevin Leigh (West Herr)

West Herr's Hospice Memorial Walk Team PhotoThank you for supporting the 2009 Hospice Memorial Walk! The Walk was held on Sunday, May 17 at the Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf and with the help from our Walkers, Teams and Sponsors, the Walk raised over $225,000 for Hospice services in Erie County.

Please check our site in January 2010 for updated information and online fundraising tools fornext year's Walk.

Save the date ~ 14th Annual Hospice Memorial Walk ~ Sunday, May 23, 2010!