Cycle for Survival was founded by Jennifer Goodman Linn—a Memorial
Sloan Kettering patient and Equinox member—and her husband, Dave.
Following Jen’s own rare cancer diagnosis, they wanted to do
something to fight back. Jen sparked this movement and, despite
losing her own battle with cancer in 2011, we continue to be inspired by
her passion and determination to make a difference.
Jennifer Goodman Linn
Founder, Cycle for Survival
1971-2011
Growing Up
Jen’s whole life was in front of her. She grew up in Livingston, New Jersey, with her mom, Sandy, dad, Len, and brother, Brett. Tenacious from the start, she received her undergraduate degree from Duke University (and was a huge Blue Devils fan), and later received her MBA from Harvard Business School. She was passionate, creative, and determined—and applied her skills to a successful career in marketing.
Getting Married
While at Harvard, Jen met her future husband, Dave Linn. They married in 2003, and were looking forward to pursuing career and family dreams.
Cancer Diagnosis
Shortly after getting married, Jen began to experience early symptoms of what would later become an MFH sarcoma diagnosis. She had surgery to remove a tumor the size of a football and began a seven-year battle with rare cancer.
Fighting and Giving Back
After going into remission, Jen wanted to fight back against her cancer—and give back to her doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering. She created what was then known as “Spin4Survival,” and held the first-ever event at Equinox Columbus Circle in New York City. Shortly after, Jen’s cancer returned and through her unwavering determination she vowed to continue raising money for rare cancer research.
Cycle for Survival
In 2009, after two successful events, Jen and Dave decided that the best way to help as many cancer patients as quickly as possible was to officially engage Memorial Sloan Kettering and Equinox. Since 2009, Cycle for Survival has been owned and operated by Memorial Sloan Kettering, which has a full-time team running the events—and Equinox became the founding partner.
Building the Movement
Jen always said that she never wanted Cycle for Survival to be about her, but rather about all of the patients and families fighting rare cancers. As the movement grows, so does this dedicated community. Today, people come together nationwide to ride and fight cancer: for themselves, their loved ones, and for new and better treatment options.
Her legacy
In July 2011, Jen passed away at the age of 40. She sparked this movement to beat rare cancers—and she did it through her trademark passion, love, and belief in living life to the fullest.
Continued Commitment
Despite losing Jen in 2011, Dave—together with their wonderful families and extensive circle of dedicated friends—continues to volunteer his time, helping propel the movement that Jen inspired.
Jen,
thank you.
In Her Own Words
Watch these videos to hear Jen tell her story and get a glimpse of her spirited, magnetic personality as she celebrated her last birthday, her 40th, by dancing.
At all of our events across
the country, we have a special bike
that we established in Jen's
honor. Cancer survivors and
caregivers take turns riding
"Jen's Bike”—pushing the Cycle
for Survival movement forward,
one pedal at a time.
The Jennifer Goodman Linn Laboratory of New Drug
Development in Sarcoma and Rare Cancers
In 2012, shortly after her passing, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center dedicated a lab in Jen's name. MSK wanted to give Jen and all who loved her this high honor, recognizing her incredible advancement of rare cancer research.