Cycle for Survival is a team between Soul Cycle, Equinox, and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. This is a national movement to beat a rare cancer. Events put together provide a actual way for ordinary people to fight back. 100% of proceeds go to rare cancer research that saves lives.
Dania Hasan is a brand strategist at Horizon Media. He has degrees in Labor Relations and Spanish from Rutgers University. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring her favourite city (NYC), cooking new dishes, making music and hiking.
Q: Cancer has ruled the medical world for the past half century, leading the way for illness and disease. When did you first catch cancer as an idea?
A: I’ve all the time known that cancer meant something bad – something extreme. When I was in fourth grade, my friend lost his father to cancer. The undeniable fact that he died of cancer meant it was more extreme than I had initially believed. Again, I was very young, but I remember this being a really big deal. After that, I learned that more and more people were being diagnosed with or dying from the disease.
Q: I remember you stated that you lost two members of the family to cancer. How did it affect you then and how does it drive you now?
A: Right. In 2002, I lost my uncle to colon cancer. He is simply 59 years old. Several years later, I lost my aunt to breast cancer. He had literally been fighting his cancer years before he died, but it came back and unfortunately killed him quickly. I was very young when they died, but knowing that I lost two members of the family to the same disease was terrifying. The hardest thing was seeing each of my parents in pain after losing their sibling. As the years went by, we (parents, siblings and myself) took more initiative to research the disease and preventive treatment methods. Together, we started eating healthier, exercising more, and keeping up with doctor appointments.
Q: There are many cancer related events and charities, how did you get introduced to ‘Cycle for Survival’?
A: I’ve read about celebrities seen participating in Cycle for Survival, but never really studied it to understand what it’s. I then started working for an event marketing agency promoting the event, and since I sometimes cycled through the gym, the event appealed to me. It was the perfect event for me to become involved, 1) because I would be fighting for a cause that I was personally affected by the loss of a family member to sickness, and 2) by having fun and getting a good workout while doing it!
Q: What stands out the most to you about the organization? What was an ‘aha’ moment for you?
A: Since 2007, Cycle for Survival has raised almost $70 million to beat rare cancers. The “aha” moment is learning this. I’m very impressed! I could not believe that indoor cycling events across the country could raise this much money. Truly extraordinary!
Q: Do you see cancer as a winnable battle? How do you feel about the barriers placed by government mandates and pharmaceutical conglomerates?
A: This is a difficult question that unfortunately I haven’t got an answer for. I believe cancer as a whole is a killer disease. Whether people are diagnosed, endure chemotherapy, and recover, or on the other hand, get sick and die, it is still a killer. Many people are able to fight battles and win, but in many cases, cancer has a way of coming back. There is so much phobia around the word “cancer” that the mental and emotional effects of the disease are sometimes worse than the disease itself.
Q: You have ties to the media and the like, where do you see the onus on them in terms of getting the word out? educate individuals?
A: The responsibility certainly rests with the media with regards to spreading the word. We are exposed to all forms of media every day. Media is the most powerful form of communication to the common people. In terms of teaching people about cancer, I believe most people are aware of cancer. However, the media is not very good at discussing the precautions people should take.
Q: Do you feel that movies and tv showing cancer and its detrimental effects on everyday life help or hinder research (i.e. seeing it on a silver screen makes us ignore it)?
A: I do not feel that films and tv featuring cancer help or hinder research. I believe we’re used to seeing cancer in every kind of media, and if anything, it opened people’s eyes to its effects. Some people noticed; others do not. Regardless, I believe it is great to keep showing off because even if people are ignoring it, people are still being aware about the disease and its deadly effects.
Q: Is this your first event or fundraiser for cancer? Are you going to do more?
A: This is not the first event I will attend that benefits cancer. Growing up, I attended a number of events that benefited cancer awareness/research, and contributed anytime I could, even if it was something as easy as buying and rocking a BOOBIES bracelet, or wearing a bow in my school backpack. I have also worked as a volunteer the last two summers at The MoonWalk New York City. The MoonWalk is an overnight, full and half marathon walk, where thousands of men and girls walk the streets of Manhattan in decorative bras to raise awareness and much-needed funds for a number of breast cancer initiatives. Walking started in London and was introduced to New York a few years ago. I certainly plan to attend more cancer related fundraisers/events… I want to do whatever I can to help the cause.
Q: What can be taken from all of this? What have you changed in your life due to this?
A: I believe the most significant takeaway from all of this is the undeniable fact that anyone can get cancer at any time. We as humans must take precautions to reduce the likelihood of one day getting a disease. Taking care of our health, eating well, and exercising often is important
