Florida Nonprofit Team Tony Cancer Foundation Unveils New Cycling Event

The Team Tony Cancer Foundation, a Sarasota-based nonprofit organization that provides free peer-to-peer cancer support and resources to cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers in the local community, has announced a new format for its largest fundraising event, now dubbed Gran Fondo Sarasota.

This year, Team Tony is transitioning its annual Cycle of Life bike ride to a one-day event. The first-ever Gran Fondo Sarasota will take place on October 7 at Nathan Benderson Park.

Cyclists of all skill levels are invited to ride in one of the four road courses: the 100-mile Gran, 66-mile Medio, 33-mile Piccolo or 8-mile Corto cruiser ride. The 2018 Gran Fondo Sarasota is not a timed event, and cyclists will depart from the park between 7 a.m. - 11 a.m., depending on their chosen distance, with the 100-mile riders leaving first.

“The Gran Fondo Sarasota is all about participating, not the pace,” said Sarasota resident Tony McEachern, president and founder of the Team Tony Cancer Foundation. “Pick your distance and come out with the whole family to enjoy a day of cycling. The proceeds from the event will support Team Tony’s truly important mission. We could not provide these support services without the generosity of our business partners and the community.”

Following the rides, cyclists and their families and friends can celebrate their accomplishments during the Finish Line Party, hosted for the fourth year by PGT Innovations, Florida’s largest window and door manufacturer, located in the Suncoast area. The event will feature music, food trucks and fun family-friendly activities.

Gran Fondo Sarasota course registration fees range from $25 - $99, depending on the course selected. Cyclists are encouraged to register prior to August 7 to take advantage of special pricing. The first 250 people to register will also receive a unique Gran Fondo Sarasota t-shirt and PGT Innovations swag bag. Fees for each course will increase by 50 percent starting August 8. Registration for the rides will close September 7 at midnight.

A 15-year brain cancer survivor and an avid cyclist, McEachern’s vision of creating a cancer support organization became a reality in 2010 when the Team Tony Cancer Foundation officially launched. Last year, Team Tony’s annual ride event raised more than $137,000 in donations.

This year, the organization hopes the move to the new Gran Fondo Sarasota ride format will help them to exceed their goal of $150,000. To date in 2018, the Team Tony Cancer Foundation has already provided more than $20,000 in gas cards, flights and other items related to treatment travel to cancer fighters in Florida’s Suncoast area.

About Team Tony Cancer Foundation

Located in Sarasota, Fla., Team Tony Cancer Foundation is a peer-to-peer cancer support foundation. The mission of Team Tony is to provide free peer-to-peer cancer support and resources to cancer fighters and caregivers in the community. To learn more about Team Tony, visit www.teamtony.org.

About PGT Innovations

PGT Innovations, headquartered in North Venice, Florida, with more than 2,800 employees statewide, creates value through deep customer relationships, understanding the unstated needs of an industry, a drive to create the strongest, safest products on the market and a commitment to always moving forward. The company’s trusted brands include CGI®, CGI® Commercial, PGT® Custom Windows & Doors and WinDoor®. PGT Innovations is the nation’s largest manufacturer of impact-resistant windows and doors, holds the leadership position in its primary market and is part of the S&P SmallCap 400 Index. For additional information, visit www.pgtinnovations.com.

For more information, please contact:

Team Tony Cancer Foundation

941-227-4404

info@teamtony.org