WASHINGTON - Last weekend, Georgetown student-athletes traded in their cleats, sticks and racquets for a two-wheeled vehicle as more than six teams participated in the Cycle for Survival at Equinox in Bethesda, Md. The event has become an annual tradition for many of the squads that use physical fitness to raise funds and awareness for rare cancers.

Cycle for Survival began in 2007 with 50 bikes for 230 riders in New York City. Last year, the event spanned 15 cities with 6,140 bikes and 27,000 riders. The event is hosted throughout the country in February and March. Team members ride relay-style, sharing a stationary bike for four 50-minute cycling sessions. Indoor cycling instructors lead each session.

The student-athletes were moved and excited about the event which was described by Head Men's Soccer Coach Brian Wiese as a "dance party". Despite the fun atmosphere, the event raises money and awareness for rare cancers including brain, pancreatic, ovarian, stomach, all types of pediatric cancers, and many others.

To date, Cycle for Survival has raised $25,957,960 this year for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)--the world's oldest and largest private cancer center. The close collaboration between MSK's doctors and researchers ensures that drugs and therapies developed in the lab can be moved quickly to patients' bedsides, and 100 percent of the money raised goes directly to MSK.

Each student-athlete had a different perspective on the event, but all agreed it was an outstanding cause with an inspiring atmosphere.

Sophie Barnard
Women's Tennis
"Cycle for Survival is such an incredible event that we are lucky to have been a part of. The energy and team atmosphere were truly inspiring and I am so thrilled that we were able to participate in such an amazing fundraiser."

Chloe Knott
Women's Soccer
"There were some amazing speakers and riders there. It was great to be a part of an event that has such an important and positive impact for the families and survivors of rare cancer. We loved being there and will definitely return next year. It was a great workout for the team too."

Christopher Lema
Men's Soccer
"It was an incredible experience for a great cause. Hearing the stories that the families shared about their involvement in Cycle for Survival were truly inspirational and really had an impact on the team. We are grateful for the opportunity that we have at Georgetown. The best thing we could have done was support the families and individuals that have been affected by cancer. Interacting with other people and exchanging smiles was what Sunday was all about. The team had a lot of fun and we wish we could do this weekly. As soon as we stepped foot outside of Equinox we were asking the coaches about doing events like these every weekend. It was a great experience and we are planning on doing more events like these in the future."

Kate Snouffer
Women's Lacrosse
"This was my fourth year doing cycle for survival with our lacrosse team and every year it is just as special. When you're there, you are a part of something that is so much bigger than anything you can imagine. The friends and families that come together carry so much energy and spirit and it never diminishes throughout the day. We are so grateful that we get to raise money and participate in the cause for Team Perry and are very thankful to the Zimmerman family for having us every year."