News Release

June 26, 2006

Contact: Maureen McGuire, 860-679-4523
e-mail: mmcguire@nso.uchc.edu

Medical Students Set Off for Cross Country Bike Trip to Raise Money for Leukemia Research Wednesday a.m.

Farmington, Conn. – Professors, fellow students, family members and friends will say farewell and good luck to two students from the UConn School of Medicine Wednesday morning, as they embark on a cross country bike trek to raise money for the Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia Research.

A brief program will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington. Speakers will include Carolyn D. Runowicz, M.D., president of the American Cancer Society and director of the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Health Center.

Who: Connecticut natives Benjamin Ristau and Jeremiah Tracy, who recently completed their first year of medical school.

What: The students will fly out to San Francisco later Wednesday morning then ride bikes back to Connecticut by summer’s end – in time for the beginning of the new school year. They expect to pedal 80 miles a day with a goal of raising $50,000 for Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia Research.

The name of the bike trip is Coast to Coast for a Cure. It is dedicated in memory of Elizabeth Herman Tracy, Jeremiah’s mother, who had a rare form of leukemia.

When: The students leave will Connecticut on Wednesday, June 28. The UConn community and representatives from the Lea’s Foundation will say farewell at 9 a.m., before their journey begins. The group will meet in the academic lobby (use the main Health Center entrance and ask for directions.)

How to Help: Sponsorship opportunities and trip progress can be found at www.leasfoundation.org/CrossCountry2006/home.html.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

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