Tour de Rhody

As a Hematologist/Oncologist in the Lifespan Cancer Institute, I witness first-hand what our clinical trials can do for patients. I've seen the advances from recent clinical trials change how I can treat patients every single day.

I also ride my bike to work every day, rain or shine (maybe not in ice). Bringing Tour de Rhody to fruition for its first year in 2019 combined two of my passions; oncology research and bike riding. Nearly 100 riders joined to ride bikes, get a little lost, and raise over $18,000 for cancer research. Aside from some small hiccups, I felt the event a great success. 2020 faced new challenges. With careful covid precautions 200 riders showed up, wore masks and stayed separated to together raise over $50,000.

2021 saw a giant increase in ridership and we hit our goal of $100,000 raised for cancer research. The 2021 and 2022 gravel courses had special access to the closed roads around the Scituate Reservoir thanks to generous support from the Providence Water Supply Board, making for beautiful and unique loops. 2022 saw even more ridership, great support from our sponsors and the most raised yet. Over the first four years, we have raised over 300k for cancer research. I can't wait to see what 2023, our fifth Tour de Rhody, will become!

Thank you, Dr. Thomas Ollila