43
Pure Cycle Spinning Studio turns it purple
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Chuck and Shelly Colucci, owners of Pure Cycle Spinning Studio, sponsored Turn It Purple: Pure Purple to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer Nov. 16.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.From left, Pure Cycle Spinning Studio instructor Candace Heinbaugh, Nicole Billak and instructor Missy Schmitz honored the memory of Billak’s sister Ronnette Pierce and Barbara Louise Hutch Cene and Laura Cene, during Turn It Purple: Pure Purple, which offered free spinning classes to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer Nov. 16.
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.A group of spinners raised awareness for pancreatic cancer at Pure Cycle Spinning Studio during Turn It Purple: Pure Purple Nov. 16.
By ABBY SLANKER
Pure Cycle Spinning Studio hosted Turn It Purple: Pure Purple to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer and to honor the memory of Ronnette Pierce, Barbara Louise Hutch Cene, Laura Cene and loved ones lost to the disease Nov. 16.
Spinning instructor Candace Heinbaugh approached Pierce’s sister, Nicole Billak, about hosting a class in memory of Pierce.
“I was inspired by Ronnette’s story and wanted to do something to honor her memory. I asked Nicole, her sister and one of my usual riders, if we could hold a class in memory of Ronnette. She agreed and the response was so overwhelming, we had to schedule two rides for today,” Heinbaugh said.
The studio offered the free classes to promote Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Recently, Mayor John McNally signed a proclamation declaring November as Pancreatic Awareness Month in the City of Youngstown.
According to Heinbaugh, the event was offered to raise awareness and was not intended as a fundraiser, but thanks to the generosity of several people who offered donations, the event did raise some money.
“The free rides were intended to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, but even before today, people wanted to donate money to the cause. We collected way more than we ever expected. Everyone pulled together to make this event a success. We had 50 riders today and even had a waitlist,” Heinbaugh said.
The studio also offered purple T-shirts to commemorate the ride, which sold out in a short period of time. Proceeds from the T-shirts and all donations will go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
“Pancreatic cancer has hit home for so many people from the Mahoning Valley with the passing of Carmine Cassese and the diagnosis of Don Guthrie. This cancer is currently the nation’s fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. There is only a six percent five-year survival rate,” Billak said.
Shelly Colucci, owner of Pure Cycle Spinning Studio with her husband Chuck, said sponsoring the event was an easy decision.
“Candace asked if we could do the ride. Right away, I said absolutely. Then she asked if we could sell T-shirts, and I said absolutely again. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming. The original intent was to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, but it turned into a fundraiser thanks to our amazing clients. There is no real early diagnosis for pancreatic cancer, so we are hoping our donations can help with research in that area,” Colucci said.
Clients who participated in the ride were asked to fill out a card listing who their ride was dedicated to and the cards were tied to purple balloons for a balloon launch.
“We are having a balloon launch after the rides. Everyone filled out a card and it has the studio’s phone number on it. We want to see how far the balloons go and have whoever finds one call us back to see where it landed. This is another way to spread awareness for pancreatic cancer and see how far we can take it,” Colucci said.
The Coluccis plan on making Turn It Purple: Pure Purple an annual event and plan to make it even bigger and better.
“We planned this event in two weeks. It is just amazing how it all happened and came together. After seeing the outpouring of support, Turn It Purple: Pure Purple will become an annual event. And we will make it bigger and better next year,” Colucci said.
In 2014, an estimated 46,420 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States, and approximately 39,590 will die from the disease.
Pancreatic cancer will surpass breast and colorectal cancer to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States by 2020, according to a research study published by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in the May 2014 edition of Cancer Research.