Second Annual Jerri FitzGerald Canter Against Cancer to Benefit Noble Hospital

Ride Honors Memory of South Pole Physician, Dr. Jerri FitzGerald
February 3, 2010

Southampton, Massachusetts - Organizers of the second annual Jerri FitzGerald Canter Against Cancer Benefit Trail Ride, honoring the memory of cancer warrior and South Pole physician, Dr. Jerri FitzGerald, have announced that proceeds from this year's ride, Saturday September 18 (rain date September 19), will go to Noble Hospital of Westfield, Massachusetts.

"Dr. FitzGerald was an intelligent physician who was aware of the gravity of her diagnosis," said Dr. Phillip T.Glynn, director of Oncology at Noble Hospital, where Dr. FitzGerald received care. Despite the burdens of treatment, she managed to be grateful for each day and for the loving care of the people around her, he said. Her first battle, self-treating breast cancer in the late 1990s while stationed in Antarctica, captured world attention and led to her N.Y. Times best-selling autobiography: Icebound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole. She was in remission until 2005 and lost her battle against the disease on June 24, 2009.

"Noble Hospital was important to Jerri, and to those who loved her and were with her on this journey," said Canter Against Cancer organizer, Claudia Sarti. Dr. FitzGerald received treatment at Noble and wanted donations in her memory to go to the hospital.

The Canter Against Cancer benefit trail ride features 100+ autumnal acres of groomed field and forest paths, hay rides, raffle, and slow-cooked pig roast. Giddyap Girls will donate all-natural horse treats and Mark Lexton Collection will return as creators of the Jerri FitzGerald Canter Against Cancer signature rope necklace in sterling silver or gold. The ride is again hosted thanks to the generosity of Twin Orchard Farm and the Kaniecki family of Southampton, Massachusetts. Suggestion donation is $25 per rider or $25 per car for non-riders, and includes continental breakfast and pig roast.

A second Canter Against Cancer, inspired by the Massachusetts event, will be June 12, 2010, outside of Zillah, Washington, and hosted by the Yakima Valley Riding Club. "Our club has been hit hard with members and family diagnosed with cancer. We strongly feel that it is time for us to be involved in the fight and to do what we can to raise funds to find a cure," says organizer, Linda Spurlock. For information on the Washington State ride, email Linda at lspurl3144@aol.com.

Find Canter Against Cancer on Facebook and YouTube, or for information (images available on request), contact L.A. Pomeroy, PomeroyLA@aol.com, (413) 586-6121, or Claudia Sarti, SheDancezWHorsez@aol.com, (413) 549-0050.