The Impact of Cycle for Survival

Cycle for Survival is the official rare cancer fundraising program of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Since 2007, our community has raised $[msk_total_short_formatted] — including $36 million in 2025 — for research and clinical trials, allowing MSK scientists to turn bold ideas into lifesaving breakthroughs.

Heart-shaped messages on a wall, featuring "Team Suzanne" in bold lettering.

The support provided through Cycle for Survival is critical to advancing the most bold and innovative science and enables us to make rapid progress.

–Vinod Balachandran, MD, Director of The Olayan Center for Cancer Vaccines at MSK

Because of Cycle for Survival

Because of Cycle for Survival, progress is happening where it matters most. You’re helping researchers at MSK develop new treatments, launch groundbreaking clinical trials, and bring hope to people with rare cancers. Explore the real-world impact your support makes possible.

Read the annual funding report

More precise, personalized care

Cycle for Survival funded MSK-IMPACT®, a test that analyzes more than 500 cancer genes to match patients with targeted therapies. It also supported MSK-ACCESS®, a liquid biopsy that detects cancer DNA in blood.

How do the tests work?

Training immune cells to fight

MSK is a pioneer in CAR T cell therapy, which reprograms immune cells to fight blood cancers like leukemia. Cycle for Survival funds efforts to adapt this therapy for solid tumors, aiming to transform treatment for rare cancers.

Faster FDA approvals

Cycle for Survival funding has helped develop or test at least six FDA-approved therapies, bringing lifesaving options to people with rare cancers who previously had few or no treatments.

Explore an FDA approval

Innovative clinical trials

Rare cancers are often overlooked in therapy development. Cycle for Survival ensures innovative clinical trials and drug development for rare cancers get the critical funding needed to advance and bring new treatments to patients.

One powerful example

From bold ideas to lifesaving innovations

Watch how MSK physician-scientist Santosha Vardhana, MD, PhD, is using immunotherapy to unlock new hope for rare cancer patients — thanks to Cycle for Survival’s support.

What are rare cancers?

Rare cancers — which include brain, blood, ovarian, and pediatric cancers — make up half of cancer diagnoses in the United States each year but get disproportionate funding. We’re changing that.

A Cycle for Survival participant wearing exercise clothes and a tiara stands at a mic, smiling and holding a cellphone, to address fellow riders.

50%

of new cancer diagnoses

in the U.S. are rare but receive only a fraction of research funding

100+

clinical trials

funded by Cycle for Survival are for rare cancers

100%

of every dollar raised

by Cycle for Survival fuels rare cancer research at MSK

Ready to make a difference?

Take action. Make an impact. Your way.

Whether you’re a seasoned supporter or just learning about rare cancers, there’s a place for you here. You can register, learn more, or simply join our interest list to stay connected.

Sign up for a ride

Start a team with friends, family members, or colleagues, and ride together at one of our stationary-cycling events. No cycling experience is needed! You can pedal hard or hardly pedal.

See events

Become a team captain

Become a team captain! Lead your team’s fundraising efforts, motivate others to join you, organize your ride-day schedule, and communicate with your team’s assigned Cycle for Survival staff member.

What to expect

Join the interest list

Want to learn more about how you can support Cycle for Survival? Fill out a quick form, and a member of our team will be in touch.