24 Hours of Booty, Inc. announced today that it made a $1 million commitment to Carolinas HealthCare System’s Levine Cancer Institute. Funds will support programs and services at the Institute’s Genetics, Survivorship, and Wellness Centers.

Representatives with 24 Hours of Booty teamed up with the Institute to host a private reception where they unveiled new signage and presented the gift to Levine Cancer Institute leadership, including president Derek Raghavan, M.D., Ph.D.

“Cancer care includes much more than just diagnosis and treatment of the disease itself. Cancer affects every aspect of a patients’ life and one of the goals of Levine Cancer Institute is to broaden the scope of cancer research, prevention, treatment and survivorship to reflect the full impact of cancer on our patients and community,” Raghavan said. “We are pleased to partner with 24 Hours of Booty and appreciate this commitment, as well as the program’s supporters who are helping us to change the course of cancer care throughout the Carolinas.”

Highlights of the Program include: numerous site-specific patient support groups; the Carolinas Cancer Wellness Program (at area YMCAs) powered by 24 Hours of Booty; vast educational resources; free individual and family counseling; and a comprehensive patient navigation program. 24 Hours of Booty funding also supports yoga classes, tai chi, mind/body stress relief programs and a dedicated psychologist at LCI.

“The Survivorship and Wellness area is critically important for taking cancer care to a new level,” said Scott Kerr, Senior Vice President of Carolinas HealthCare Foundation. “These funds from 24 Hours of Booty enable us to offer a wide array of survivorship programs without charge and ensure our patients have access to comprehensive cancer care.”

In addition to funding the Survivorship and Wellness Program, 24 Hours of Booty also supports other Carolinas HealthCare System projects including the Carolinas Kids Cancer Research Coalition – a Phase I and II clinical trial program conducted by the Torrence E. Hemby, Jr. Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Center at Levine Children’s Hospital and Phase I adult cancer research programs in conjunction with the KEEP POUNDING® Fund.

“On behalf of our community of riders, supporters and sponsors, it is a true honor to provide this monetary gift to Levine Cancer Institute,” said Basil Lyberg, executive director of 24 Hours of Booty. “It is powerful and rewarding to know that their collective year-round efforts are supporting innovative cancer care as well as healthy and active lifestyles for cancer survivors.”

About Carolinas HealthCare System

Carolinas HealthCare System (carolinashealthcare.org), one of the nation’s leading and most innovative healthcare organizations, provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness programs throughout North and South Carolina. Its diverse network of nearly 900 care locations includes academic medical centers, hospitals, freestanding emergency departments, physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and behavioral health centers, as well as hospice and palliative care services. Carolinas Healthcare System works to improve and enhance the overall health and wellbeing of its communities through high quality patient care, education and research programs, and numerous collaborative partnerships and initiatives.

About 24 Hours of Booty

24 Hours of Booty, Inc. – which runs the Official 24-Hour Cycling Event of the LIVESTRONG Foundation and the premier national 24-hour road cycling charity event in the country – is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charity located in Charlotte that provides extraordinary cycling events that are safe, fun, and open to all levels of cycling ability. Its mission is to conduct 24-hour cycling events that increase public awareness, funds, and support for the LIVESTRONG Foundation and local cancer charities including The Keep Pounding Fund at Carolinas Medical Center.

In 24 Hours of Booty’s 11-year history, more than 11,000 riders have raised more than $9 million. In addition to the 12th Annual 24 Hours of Booty presented by Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, 24 Hours of Booty will also host the Second Annual 24 Hours of Booty of Indianapolis at Butler University on Friday, June 28 – Saturday, June 29, 2013; the Fifth Annual 24 Hours of Booty of Columbia, Md. at the Gateway Business Park “Booty Loop” on Saturday, Aug. 24 – Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013 and the Fourth Annual 24 Hours of Booty of Atlanta at the Sandy Springs “Booty Loop” on Saturday, Oct. 5 – Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013. For more information, call 704-365-4417 or visit http://www.24hoursofbooty.org/.

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