Tour de Pink: Volunteer with Baylor for a good cause

At Baylor College of Medicine, there is hardly a lack of opportunities to participate in community service and volunteer projects! One such event is the Sept. 15 Tour de Pink, an annual cycling event benefiting the Pink Ribbons Project.

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Volunteering time for the cause

This year will be the fifth year in a row I have worked the event as volunteer coordinator on behalf of Baylor’s Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center. We host an official Pit Stop along the route, helping the more than 1,000 riders (on either the 12, 23, 34, 47, 63, 81 and 100 mile-routes) rehydrate and refuel as they raise critically important funds for breast cancer research and care.

While it requires a little travel (the ride starts at Prairie View A & M University), it is certainly worth the time and effort if you are interested in volunteering for a good cause.

Volunteers just have to show up with a smiling face and cheerful attitude to hand out the refreshments and to send the riders on their way to the finish line – they are incredibly appreciative of the volunteers’ times and efforts. Anyone is welcome to volunteer with us!

Riding for breast cancer research

Pink Ribbons Project is based in Houston and has raised more than $5 million since 1995 to promote breast health, save lives and improve the quality of life for those touched by breast cancer. Pink Ribbons Project supports breast cancer awareness programs in the greater Houston community, including those at the Smith Breast Center.

In 2005 the organization started Tour de Pink and it is now their largest fundraising event.

The Smith Breast Center has been a part of the ride since then, and this year is no different.

For more information on volunteering, call 713-798-7973 or email picton@bcm.edu.

We also assemble a cycling team every year! To join, register online and select “join an existing team” to find the Baylor team. Early/online registration is $30 until Sept. 8. For more information on joining the team riding, contact Meggin Crawford at mfg@bcm.edu.

-By Glenna Picton