Team Rowan plans Cycle for Survival fundraising events

For some, hosting a fundraiser is solely a way to give back to the community.

For others, like Branchville’s Hap Rowan and the thousands of other patients suffering from neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cancer and other rare cancers, fundraising events mean so much more.

After eight years with the disease, doctors diagnosed Rowan with NET cancer in 2008. Those eight years of misdiagnoses were a driving force behind the 2009 creation of Cycle for Survival Team Rowan — who have worked tirelessly to raise money for NET and other rare cancer research since their inception.

Though there is still relatively little known about the disease, an estimated 8,000 people are diagnosed with NET cancer in the United States each year — perhaps most famously claiming the life of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011.

"It just goes to show you," Rowan said, "you can have all the money in the world and it can still get you."

Through community outreach events, Team Rowan has been able to donate over $100,000 toward NET cancer research through fundraising events held since 2009.

Upcoming events
Family Fitness Night at Minerals Spa. Friday, Jan. 30, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Several circuit exercise stations running simultaneously together. Cost is $25/family and open pool time will follow immediately after. Guests need to bring their own towel.

Meet and Greet reception at the Irish Cottage Inn, Franklin. Friday, Feb. 27, 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door night of event and include hors d'evours, wine, beer and soft drinks. Music for the night performed by Ciro Patti.

Sussex County High Schools and Middle Schools will be holding ongoing "Links for Life" presentations and fundraisers, raising money by selling links to make a chain at each participating school.

Events will culminate with the Team Rowan’s Cycle for Survival indoor cycling relay team event on Saturday, March 7 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Equinox Graybar, 44th & Lexington Avenue, New York City.

For more information on Team Rowan or Cycle for Survival, visit www.cycleforsurvival.org and search for Team Rowan.