New Haven, CT (September 21, 2026) – Nearly 2,000 cyclists from across Connecticut and beyond came together Saturday for the 16th Annual Closer to Free Ride, raising critical funds to support cancer care and research at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center (YCC).
The annual event brought riders, volunteers, patients, families, caregivers and supporters together in a shared commitment to advancing cancer treatment, research and compassionate care. Participants had the opportunity to ride one of several supported routes ranging from 10 to 100 miles, while others participated remotely from communities across the country. “The Closer to Free Ride is a powerful reminder of what is possible when a community unites around a common purpose,” said Eric Winer, MD, director of Yale Cancer Center and president and physician-in-chief of Smilow Cancer Hospital. “Every rider, donor, volunteer and supporter plays a role in accelerating discoveries, expanding access to care and bringing hope to patients and families facing cancer.”
The ride has become one of the region’s most inspiring community events, bringing together individuals whose lives have been touched by cancer and reinforcing a shared mission to improve outcomes for patients today and in the future.
“The impact of Closer to Free Ride extends well beyond a day of cycling. It is about a diverse community of people joining together to create an enduring legacy that offers all of us the opportunity to support and advance the highest quality, cutting edge care as we collectively fight cancer,” said Pamela Sutton-Wallace, acting CEO of Yale New Haven Health.
Since 2011, the Closer to Free Ride has raised more than $37 million.
Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven is part of the nationally recognized Yale New Haven Hospital, and is affiliated with Yale Cancer Center (YCC), one of only 56 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the nation and the only such center in Connecticut. Smilow Cancer Hospital, the most comprehensive cancer facility in New England, includes private inpatient rooms, multidisciplinary outpatient treatment centers, 12 operating rooms, infusion suites, diagnostic imaging services, and specialized women's and children’s services. Smilow Cancer Hospital also operates a dozen outpatient care centers across Connecticut. YCC and Smilow Cancer Hospital are members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of 28 cancer centers in the U.S., whose mission is to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of oncology care. www.ynhh.org/smilow.
