opens registration March 14, with expectations that the fourth year will be even bigger and better than ever. Last year, participants raised a record amount of over $550,000 to support cancer research at . It also attracted 821 participants 鈥� a LOWVELO record.

Rachel Haynie, LOWVELO鈥檚 event manager, said this year鈥檚 event, to be held on Nov. 5, will include all of the popular attractions of last year. There will be a 10-mile island ride on the Isle of Palms as well as three other cycling routes 鈥� 25, 55 and 100 miles 鈥� that depart from Charleston and end at the Isle of Palms finish line. There, a big block party that includes food, vendors and live music will await participants. There also will be stationary classes and a virtual participation option.

鈥淭he success we saw in LOWVELO21 was only made possible because of our incredible participants, 200 volunteers and supportive sponsors like the Beemok Family Foundation and OneMUSC,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ll of that $551,017 will support lifesaving cancer research at Hollings. While we are proud of what we accomplished in 2021, we know we want to do even more in 2022.鈥�

LOWVELO22 will launch on March 14, offering free registration and a special 24-hour-long promotional period. This year鈥檚 theme will explore how LOWVELO isn鈥檛 just an event 鈥� it鈥檚 a lifestyle.

鈥淲e want to encourage people of all walks of life and fitness levels to get physically active while supporting an incredible mission that impacts everyone,鈥� Haynie said. 鈥淲e also find the event is a great way that people like to honor cancer survivors in their families or loved ones whom they have lost. One of the most rewarding moments is seeing people sign our 鈥榃hy I Ride鈥� wall on event day. There鈥檚 just so much passion and excitement among our participants and volunteers. It鈥檚 amazing to see.鈥�

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, Hollings鈥� director, said this year鈥檚 theme fits perfectly with the cancer center鈥檚 mission to raise cancer awareness and promote cancer screenings.

鈥淟OWVELO is an important way the cancer center connects to the community it serves. Not only does the event raise money for lifesaving cancer research, it also lets the community get more involved in learning about the research and cancer prevention programs offered through Hollings, the state鈥檚 only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.鈥�

DuBois said one of his favorite parts of last year鈥檚 events was all the Hollings researchers who showed up in their 鈥楢sk me about my research鈥� T-shirts. 鈥淚t was fun for them and for participants who wanted to engage with them. Many people鈥檚 lives are touched by cancer, and this event gives everyone a chance to bond, share their stories and help fund the cures of tomorrow.鈥�

DuBois said LOWVELO鈥檚 impact already has been felt at Hollings. In 2021, LOWVELO funded a , which are used to treat certain leukemia and lymphoma patients. This project is just one of many examples of how Hollings is moving cancer care forward. CAR-T-cell therapy gives hope to some patients who have few treatment options left. By purifying CAR-T-cells, the hope is to reduce side effects and make this cutting-edge treatment more accessible to patients in South Carolina.听

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Given the generous support of sponsors, 100% of participants鈥� fundraising efforts is guaranteed to go to supporting cancer research. To celebrate the launch of this year鈥檚 campaign, anyone who registers on March 14 will have the lowest fundraising minimum for any route 鈥� $300. The fundraising minimum for students, patients and cancer survivors is $250 for any route. After the promotional period, fundraising minimums will be determined by the route length as shown on the website. Participants will then also have a lower registration fee for LOWVELO22 鈥� $50 that will go towards their fundraising minimums.

, said it鈥檚 a lot easier raising the money than people realize. She is excited about getting more people involved in the cause over the next year. McKay raised $30,450 to support cancer research at Hollings during LOWVELO21. McKay鈥檚 team, Suenami, was named in honor of her mother, Susan Sullivan, who has battled melanoma 29 times.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 do anything about my genetics that places me at a higher risk of skin cancer,鈥� McKay said. 鈥淲hat I can do is live an active lifestyle by participating in events like LOWVELO, eat healthy and get checked for cancer regularly. Those are things that I can control.鈥�

McKay feels lucky to have Hollings in the community and offered fundraising advice for others hoping to support cancer research by participating in LOWVELO22. 鈥淚 think raising funds is easier when you鈥檙e really passionate about what you鈥檙e doing,鈥� she said.

鈥淔or me, I sent emails to a bunch of people and told them about the event and why we were doing it. They were happy to give. I think that is one of the best tips I can give others who want to participate in LOWVELO and are nervous about fundraising. Cancer is a common enemy and something most people want to get involved in to fight back.鈥�

To register or learn more about LOWVELO22, click .

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