08/13/2019
It is with deep sadness that we announce the discontinuation of the Pink Pumpkin Pedal-Off after seven years. As Co-Founder of the event, this has been a remarkable experience, and one that exceeded all of my expectations. What began as a way to honor the cancer journey of my fellow Co-Founder, Barb Thomas, and the memory of my mother who was lost to breast cancer, became a true labor of love for us all.
Because of all of our wonderful riders, sponsors and volunteers and with the help of the University of Florida’s donation multiplier, the Pink Pumpkin Pedal-Off delivered over $3 million in research monies to further treatment-resistant breast cancer research. In that time, several significant research milestones were reached. It is our honor to be a part of that success.
To our riders, we love you and appreciate your support. We hope to have given you some of your greatest charity cycling event experiences. None of this would have been possible without you.
To our sponsors who were with us from the beginning—Chuy’s Tex Mex Restaurant, Gainesville Cycling Club, Campus USA, Gator Cycle, WCJB-TV20, Panera and Opus Coffee—we sincerely appreciate your support and your belief in our event and our cause.
To our Planning Team and volunteers, thank you for giving your time and talents to this wonderful cause that is so close to our hearts.
Although we realize this announcement may be met with some degree of shock and sadness, circumstances are such that we were forced to choose between giving a meaningful donation to the university and delivering a great experience to our riders. We hope you understand that impossible choice.
Please know that we will forever keep our breast cancer survivors and fighters in our hearts and minds. You are not alone and we will continue to fight alongside you.
Thank you all for a great run! We wish you all the best.
Barb Wills
Co-Founder
Gwen Creel
Event Co-Organizer
p.s. Both Gwen and I are in the photo--we had a blast at the Pedal-Off, too!
