Calhoun Riding To Benefit Cancer Research

SIMSBURY, Conn. (WFAN/AP) — Several hundred bicycle riders and walkers are joining Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun in Simsbury for his annual charity ride to benefit cancer research.

Saturday's event benefits The Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center and Coaches vs. Cancer, a program established in 1993 by the American Cancer Society.

This year's ride is dedicated to the memory of RuthAnn Lobo, who died a year ago after battling breast cancer. She was the mother of former UConn women's basketball star Rebecca Lobo, who will be participating in the event's 5K walk.

The event also includes bicycle rides of 10, 25, 50 and 75 miles.

Calhoun fell off his bicycle during the 2009 event and broke several ribs, but finished the ride.

Calhoun is a three-time cancer survivor, overcoming prostate cancer in 2003 and skin cancer twice, most recently in 2008. He has missed 29 games over his 40-year career because of various medical conditions and had to leave another 11 games for medical reasons.

Calhoun took his latest medical leave on Feb. 3 and missed eight games because of the effects of spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spine, normally associated with aging and sometimes with arthritis. It began affecting him over the summer, but reached the point where he could no longer coach after the team lost at Georgetown on Feb. 1.

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