Twenty-five Atlantis employees braved the chilly start and mid-morning rain to make up one of the largest corporate teams in the annual Ride for Hope Bahamas (R4H). After a brief absence from the event, Atlantis resumed its Yellow jersey sponsorship that was met in kind by employees who will raise an additional sum of over $6000.00 in the fight against cancer in The Bahamas.

According to Ed Fields, Senior VP of Public Affairs, it was gratifying to return to supporting R4H. “Atlantis has been a partner with Ride for Hope since its inception and is proud to be counted once again,” said Fields.

“In addition, our employees have stepped up alongside us, as they’ve done every year, to make a meaningful impact on this event and in the fight against cancer nationwide.”

Riding in their custom Team Atlantis jerseys, members started out at 7:00AM as the 100-milers opened up the course that stretched from Goodman’s Bay west to Blake Road and on to Lyford Cay, turning South to the Clifton and Adelaide area then onto LPIA and back. Through the eight o’clock hour waves of riders doing the shorter distances left the park and spread out across South-Western New Providence in a united cause, yet all with their own personal reasons for riding.

For employees like assistant chef Dominique Hanna R4H gave her the feeling that she was a part of something bigger than herself. “Ride for Hope gave me an opportunity to support the fight against cancer in a exciting and team oriented way. I also wanted to challenge myself and jumping back on a bike for the first time in years was definitely that. Completing 50 miles was extremely fun and it was an awesome accomplishment for myself,” said Hanna. “I am extremely proud of Atlantis for their support and organizing such a great team of riders to participate in Ride for Hope.”

Employee Programs and Communications Manager Janelle Hutcheson said, “This is my 4th year participating in R4Hope. I do it each time because I appreciate the opportunity afforded to me by Atlantis to contribute to cancer programs in The Bahamas. Whether we like it or not, this terrible disease has touched our lives in some way, shape or form and R4H provides an avenue to help us increase awareness and raise funds that affect related programmes.”

First-time rider Lenny Cumberbatch, Director of Food and Beverage rode in tribute to two of his first cousins who passed away from cancer. “It was a great feeling, I wanted to do it for years, it really felt as‎ though you were doing something positive. It was a privilege to ride along side great friends and colleagues, everyone fighting toward the same cause. I am very proud of Atlantis; by their continued support it solidifies their continued acceptance to social responsibility.”

For Director of Transportation Clement Taylor, this was another notch on his belt having participated in every Atlantis sponsored event for very personal reasons. “I ride because I support the cancer society and the work they are doing to assist cancer patients. This was a way to continue supporting the fight against cancer. I lost my 29-year old sister to breast cancer and my 83-year old grandfather to prostate cancer. So I ride and will continue to ride."