Philadelphia Resident Completed Coast 2 Coast Cancer Ride

A Bristol Myers Squibb employee biked 250 miles to help reach a $1 million fundraising goal for cancer research.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Cancer

Gouache-painted illustration of a road bicycle resting against a stone bridge by a river, representing community charity cycling efforts. — Philadelphia resident Denny Lai completed a 250-mile cycling relay, contributing to a $1 million fundraising effort for the V Foundation for cancer research. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Philadelphia resident Denny Lai completed a 250-mile cycling relay as part of the cross-country Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer ride. The initiative aims to raise $1 million for the V Foundation for cancer research.

Why it matters

The event supports critical NIH grants for cancer research and scientists. Participants like Lai raise these funds to honor loved ones affected by the disease.

Denny Lai raised more than $5,000 for the V Foundation as part of the 3,000-mile cross-country event. His specific 250-mile relay segment concluded in Pittsburgh with an elevation gain of 4,000 feet.

The players

Denny Lai

He is a Philadelphia resident and employee of Bristol Myers Squibb who participated in the charity cycling event.

V Foundation

This is a charitable organization dedicated to funding cancer research and providing grants to scientists.

Bristol Myers Squibb

It is a global biopharmaceutical company that employs hundreds of participants in the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer ride.

The details

Denny Lai and eight colleagues cycled through Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania to complete their portion of the ride. Lai prepared for the event by training on the Schuylkill River Trail and local hills for four months.

Lai's grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.
His grandmother went into remission in 2015.
Lai engaged in four months of training from May to September 2026.

The Big Picture

This story follows a pattern set by the V Foundation for Cancer Research by mobilizing private sector employees to fund scientific initiatives.

The fundraising efforts directly support NIH grants that advance new medical treatments and research protocols. Residents can contribute to these scientific advancements through local community-led charity initiatives.

The takeaway

Engaging in endurance sports for charity provides a tangible way to support medical research and honor personal experiences with illness. Setting a rigorous training schedule on local trails can help amateur athletes prepare for multi-day relay events.