Meet the 2026 Cycle for Survival Game Changers

What it means to be a Cycle for Survival Game Changer 

Established in 2018, the Cycle for Survival Game Changer Award recognizes members of our community whose leadership, generosity, and dedication move our mission forward. These honorees don’t just participate — they help redefine what is possible for rare cancer research at MSK. 

Across the country, Game Changers have shown up year after year with bold ideas, fearless fundraising, and an unwavering belief that patients with rare cancers deserve better answers. From building powerhouse teams to expanding into new cities to inspiring colleagues, families, and entire communities, their impact extends far beyond the bike floor. 

A community driving rare cancer research forward

The 2026 Game Changers span cities, generations, and personal connections to cancer, yet they are driven by a common purpose: to accelerate progress for patients with rare cancers. Honorees include longtime Extreme Riders, founding participants, family teams carrying forward powerful legacies, corporate champions who expand employee engagement, and community leaders who bring Cycle for Survival to new audiences.

Some have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars; others have surpassed the million-dollar mark. Many have done both. What unites them is not only what they’ve raised, but how they lead: with heart, creativity, resilience, and an unrelenting commitment to making this community stronger for everyone.

Their collective impact fuels innovative rare cancer research across MSK, helping scientists ask bigger questions, move faster, and develop new treatment options for patients who urgently need them.

Your 2026 Cycle for Survival Game Changers

We are proud to recognize 20 extraordinary individuals and families as 2026 Cycle for Survival Game Changers. Each honoree’s story is unique — but every one reflects the power of community-driven fundraising and the life-changing impact it has on rare cancer research. 

From coast to coast, these Game Changers embody the best of Cycle for Survival: leadership that inspires action, generosity that fuels discovery, and a belief that, together, we can change outcomes for patients everywhere. 

We are deeply grateful for their trust, passion, and commitment to this mission, and we are honored to celebrate them as 2026 Game Changer Award recipients. 

Rachael Bradley – Radiate Joy (Boston) 

An Extreme Rider and Decade Rider, Rachael has raised more than $580,000 as a Leaders Circle member and expanded the mission by launching new teams in Boston and Philadelphia, a true family-driven force for rare cancer research. 

Catherine and Dan Buell – Bailey’s Warriors (Summit, New Jersey) 

In just four years, Bailey’s Warriors has raised over $4 million, including becoming the first team to exceed $1 million in a debut season, growing from 10 bikes to a major exclusive ride, filling 120 bikes. The New Jersey–based team rides in honor of Bailey Buell, whose kindness, bravery, and smile inspired so many. 

Gia Fruscione – Team Suzi G (Philadelphia) 

For eight seasons, Gia has led a top national team and raised nearly $1.5 million for ovarian cancer research at MSK. She shows up across cities in honor of her mother, Susan, and powers progress year after year. 

The Goodman Family – A Mission Continued…Jennifer Goodman Linn, Em&m’s Make More Cures (Summit, New Jersey) 

For 20 seasons, Sandy, Len, Brett and Emily Goodman have carried co-founder Jennifer Goodman Linn’s legacy forward, showing up nationwide with love and leadership, and surpassing $1 million raised with their Summit, New Jersey, team. 

Jason Harinstein – Eye of the Tiger (Paramus, New Jersey)

A 12-year rider and Leaders Circle Co-Chair, Jason has strengthened the community by amplifying multi-year, pledged support for rare cancer research, helping recruit 25 new Leaders Circle members since June 2024. 

Sara, Chuck, Molly, and Jack Hawkins – Team Ladyhawk (Washington, D.C.) 

Since joining in 2023, Team Ladyhawk has brought celebration and heart. They have raised $1 million in four years and honored Sara’s legacy with the kind of community leadership and passion that’s only just beginning. 

Liz Healy – Team Check Your Colon (Darien, Connecticut) 

Liz turned her diagnosis into advocacy, amplifying colorectal cancer awareness and early detection while rallying nearly 50 riders and creating lasting impact across MSK, Cycle for Survival, and Fred’s Team. She passed away on February 8, 2026, but her legacy lives on in the awareness she raised, the funds she helped generate, and the countless lives her voice continues to touch. 

John Karaczynski (West Los Angeles) 

A familiar face for 14 years and an Extreme Rider, John has raised over $439,000, pairing endurance with steady leadership, original Cycle for Survival spirit, and a genuine way of showing up for others. 

Beth Linn – BL Bombers (Chicago) 

Beth pairs heart with innovation. In her 20 years of participating, she has sparked program-wide ideas like end-of-ride QR code sign-ups and has actively recruited teams across Chicago and beyond. 

Samantha and Dave Mann – The Other Sam’s Club (Westchester, New York) 

Since 2019, Samantha and Dave have raised more than $1.3 million with bold, focused leadership. They have fueled research tied to an extremely rare sarcoma, CIC-DUX4 sarcoma, and strengthened Cycle for Survival through new ideas and close partnership. 

Emily Portney – Team BNY (New York) 

Inspired by her close friend, Jennifer Goodman Linn, Emily has been a steadfast supporter of Cycle for Survival since the very first ride, helping grow corporate engagement and expand the movement over the years. In 2025, she launched BNY’s first firmwide exclusive event, rallying more than 400 colleagues and senior leaders in the fight to beat rare cancers.

Kelli Real – Team PerseVerance (South Bay, California) 

A 13-year rider, Kelli co-captains Team PerseVerance, a community that has raised more than $2 million. Kelli fosters a culture defined by compassion, commitment, and the kind of energy that inspires others to show up fully for the mission. 

Rocky Ribacoff – Rocky’s Roadies (Long Island, New York) 

A Decade Rider with nearly $800,000 raised, Rocky’s fearless advocacy includes leading her team and recruiting Equinox instructors to power the Long Island ride — game-changing energy in action. 

JJ Sailer – Team EQX and Team PerseVerance (South Bay, California)

As Equinox’s Senior Director of Philanthropy Operations, JJ helps make Cycle for Survival possible. Beyond this essential role, she co-leads Team PerseVerance, which has raised over $2 million in Los Angeles, including a record $299,000 season. 

Karen Soler – Team WillPower (New York) 

Now in her 19th year, Karen leads WillPower across the East Coast: New York City, Boston, Westchester, and Darien. She shares the mission tirelessly and rises to every fundraising challenge in support of MSK research.  

Barb Solit – Team HOPP (New York) 

For 15 years, Barb has built an extraordinary national presence, leading teams across 14 locations and raising more than $4.3 million, while consistently bringing new people into the Cycle for Survival community. 

Christina Trujillo-Ayoub – Pedaling Sunshine – SF (San Francisco) 

Christina has raised more than $693,000 through years of dedicated leadership. She first captained Team OG Spinderellas, growing it into a more than $600,000 team, and continues that legacy today as a member of Pedaling Sunshine – SF. A top individual fundraiser year after year, Christina is always pushing how Cycle for Survival can do more. 

Jim Walberg – The Bay Area Team (San Francisco) 

With more than $781,000 raised, Jim rides with deep purpose, taping names to his bike each year in memory and leading with the belief that “to whom much is given, much is required.” 

Jamie Weiss – Gold Ribbon Riders (Long Island, New York) 

Inspired by her daughter, Sawyer's, brave battle with pediatric cancer, Jamie leads a powerhouse community, known as the Gold Ribbon Riders, who have raised nearly $4 million for Cycle for Survival — directing every dollar to MSK Kids — and has spent nine seasons pushing what is possible for children facing cancer. 

Rosemary Wilson and Tony Nero – Crush Cancer

Rosemary and Tony brought Cycle for Survival to Virginia Beach in 2015 by organizing their own local fundraising event. Now known as Crush Cancer, it has become one of the most successful events of its kind. To date, Crush Cancer has raised over $2.7 million for Cycle for Survival.