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May 13. 2012 11:01PM
Loukas Tatasciore, 10, of Windham, Shawn Mullen, and Nick Napolitano, 10 , of Methuen, Mass., at the fourth annual spinathon held May 12 at the Workout Club and Wellness Center in Salem . (Julie Hanson Photo)
Positive spin for a meaningful cause in Salem
Loukas Tatasciore, 10, of Windham, Shawn Mullen, and Nick Napolitano, 10 , of Methuen, Mass., at the fourth annual spinathon held May 12 at the Workout Club and Wellness Center in Salem . (Julie Hanson Photo)
SALEM — Cyclists invested sweat and tears to raise over $15,000 for cancer research and treatment at an annual spinathon in Salem.
Spinathon founder Shawn Mullen named the event “Shawn's Ride for Bob and Tina” in honor of his friend Tina Vitale, who died at 38 after battling breast cancer for a year-and-a-half. The event also honored Mullen's father Bob, 76, who made a full recovery after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer in 2008.
This marked the fourth year of the annual event. Many lives have been touched by the disease, inspiring more people to join the spinathon every year, Mullen said. Family members of cancer victims also volunteer behind the scenes to produce the event and inspire the riders.
“It's just still so hard for any of the families that have lost people,” Mullen said. “There are a lot of tears at this thing.”
Twenty-seven cyclists gathered in a small room at the Workout Club and Wellness Center in Salem on May 12. After three hours of nonstop pedaling, each covered between 50 to 70 miles. Each cyclist raises a minimum of $350 to participate, but most bring in more.
Cyclists submitted song requests before the spinathon and as the event progressed they spoke about a special person that inspired the song choice or the ride.
“The energy that comes from that is amazing,” Mullen said.
Two pediatric cancer patients, Nick Napolitano, 10, of Methuen, Mass., and Loukas Tatasciore, 10, of Windham shared their experiences of overcoming cancer. With the assistance of the Jimmy Fund and Boston Children's Hospital, Tatasciore was able to start treatment 36 hours after diagnosis and was cleared in two months.
Napolitano started treatment in September and was cancer-free by March.
“It's a miracle, that's for sure,” said Anne Napolitano, Nick's mother.
Proceeds of the spinathon benefit the Jimmy Fund.
Mullen, 44, of Windham, founded the spinathon four years ago as part of his fundraising effort for the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge. He was inspired by Vitale, who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2008.
“I decided I was going to do the Pan Mass Challenge to honor Tina and the fight she was going through,” Mullen said.
The first spinathon came together in July 2009. Vitale was unaware of Mullen's efforts and was brought to the gym as a surprise. Deeply moved, she promised to participate as a rider in the next spinathon.
“She was just so humble and so awesome,” Mullen said.
Unfortunately, cancer took Vitale's life that January. A bouquet of 36 carnations adorned the cycle that she would have ridden and her husband and sons assist Mullen annually. A silhouetted picture of Vitale and Mullen clasping their hands in victory has become the logo for his fundraising efforts.
Since its inception, the spinathon has raised about $37,000, including this year's proceeds.
Mullen is now a certified spinning instructor and a four-time PMC rider. In August, he is riding the two-day, 192 mile route from Sturbridge to Provincetown as part of the Boston Bruins Foundation Bike Team. His goal is to raise $25,000 as a tribute to Vitale and his father.
There's no end in sight for Mullen's fundraising efforts.
“I'm a Pan Mass Challenge lifer now,” Mullen said. “I will ride it as long as I can.”
People who couldn't attend the spinathon can still donate to the cause by visiting www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/shawn-mullen-1/33rdpanmasschallenge.
Spinathon founder Shawn Mullen named the event “Shawn's Ride for Bob and Tina” in honor of his friend Tina Vitale, who died at 38 after battling breast cancer for a year-and-a-half. The event also honored Mullen's father Bob, 76, who made a full recovery after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer in 2008.
This marked the fourth year of the annual event. Many lives have been touched by the disease, inspiring more people to join the spinathon every year, Mullen said. Family members of cancer victims also volunteer behind the scenes to produce the event and inspire the riders.
“It's just still so hard for any of the families that have lost people,” Mullen said. “There are a lot of tears at this thing.”
Twenty-seven cyclists gathered in a small room at the Workout Club and Wellness Center in Salem on May 12. After three hours of nonstop pedaling, each covered between 50 to 70 miles. Each cyclist raises a minimum of $350 to participate, but most bring in more.
Cyclists submitted song requests before the spinathon and as the event progressed they spoke about a special person that inspired the song choice or the ride.
“The energy that comes from that is amazing,” Mullen said.
Two pediatric cancer patients, Nick Napolitano, 10, of Methuen, Mass., and Loukas Tatasciore, 10, of Windham shared their experiences of overcoming cancer. With the assistance of the Jimmy Fund and Boston Children's Hospital, Tatasciore was able to start treatment 36 hours after diagnosis and was cleared in two months.
Napolitano started treatment in September and was cancer-free by March.
“It's a miracle, that's for sure,” said Anne Napolitano, Nick's mother.
Proceeds of the spinathon benefit the Jimmy Fund.
Mullen, 44, of Windham, founded the spinathon four years ago as part of his fundraising effort for the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge. He was inspired by Vitale, who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2008.
“I decided I was going to do the Pan Mass Challenge to honor Tina and the fight she was going through,” Mullen said.
The first spinathon came together in July 2009. Vitale was unaware of Mullen's efforts and was brought to the gym as a surprise. Deeply moved, she promised to participate as a rider in the next spinathon.
“She was just so humble and so awesome,” Mullen said.
Unfortunately, cancer took Vitale's life that January. A bouquet of 36 carnations adorned the cycle that she would have ridden and her husband and sons assist Mullen annually. A silhouetted picture of Vitale and Mullen clasping their hands in victory has become the logo for his fundraising efforts.
Since its inception, the spinathon has raised about $37,000, including this year's proceeds.
Mullen is now a certified spinning instructor and a four-time PMC rider. In August, he is riding the two-day, 192 mile route from Sturbridge to Provincetown as part of the Boston Bruins Foundation Bike Team. His goal is to raise $25,000 as a tribute to Vitale and his father.
There's no end in sight for Mullen's fundraising efforts.
“I'm a Pan Mass Challenge lifer now,” Mullen said. “I will ride it as long as I can.”
People who couldn't attend the spinathon can still donate to the cause by visiting www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/shawn-mullen-1/33rdpanmasschallenge.
