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SARASOTA – For a decade the Team Tony Cancer Foundation has provided free peer-to-peer support and resources to cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers, so no one on Florida’s Suncoast faces cancer alone. But the pandemic forced the nonprofit to cancel its r biggest fundraiser of the year… the Gran Fondo Sarasota.

“The Team Tony Cancer Foundation is about action. It’s all about action,” said James Dawes a former Chairman of the Board of Directors.

And leap into action is just what founder Tony McEachern did. Instead of sitting idly by McEachern and his team thought… if their supporters can’t come and participate in the multi-distance bike race in person. They’ll bring the bike race to them.

“Everybody is riding still, or most are riding still yet by themselves. So the bike-a-thon allows them to ride with a friend be on a trainer and ride, and it allows for a challenge we call it a virtual challenge,” said McEachern.

Here’s how it works…registering is free,

  • From September 1st – 30th you set a personal fund raising goal to fight cancer and select your own amount of meaningful miles to be completed.
  • Ride your miles in one day or ride a little bit every day – no matter your choice of cycling it all counts!
  • And lastly track your miles using whatever method you choose and input them online at teamtony.org

For avid cyclist, Sean Moloney, participating in the bike-a-thon is personal. Having lost his sister and close friend to brain cancer… McEachern offered them guidance and support during their battle with the disease. Something Moloney will always be thankful for…

“The motivation to reach out and try to do something positive, especially with everything that’s going on in the world right now,” said Moloney. “It feels like a positive thing to be doing in a difficult time.”

Moloney set a goal of riding 800 miles and raising $10,000 for the foundation. Since the start of the virtual ride he’s tracked nearly 500 miles and raised almost more than $7,000. All in support of the work McEachern and his team of caregivers do for those feeling alone during a difficult in their lives.

“What’s next for Team Tony is letting the community know who we are, where they can find us so we can support them,” said McEachern. “The more who know, the more we can help.”

There’s still time to sign up for the virtual bike-a-thon. For more information on how to donate or get involved visit teamtony.org