Meet Samara Kaplan, a 10th grader at Rancho Solano who lives in DC Ranch with her parents, Abby and David, her sister Skylar, and their two 6-year-old pomskies, Kody and Hunter. Samara recently reached out to share an upcoming fundraiser she is leading, Scottsdale Cycles for Survival, a two-hour indoor cycling event at CycleBar (7001 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 172) that raises money for rare cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK). Every dollar raised goes directly to advancing research and treatment—an effort deeply meaningful to Samara, whose father was treated at MSK for a rare bone cancer when she was just one year old. Today, he is nearly 15 years cancer-free.

Rare cancers—those affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S.—receive far less funding than more common diagnoses. MSK’s official rare cancer fundraiser, Cycle for Survival, helps close that gap by supporting bold research that has led to FDA-approved therapies, groundbreaking clinical trials, and major advancements in precision oncology. Rare cancers include leukemia, lymphoma, thyroid, ovarian, brain, and pancreatic cancers, as well as all pediatric cancers.

Samara says her inspiration comes from years of volunteering and a desire to make an even greater impact. Knowing that every mile ridden directly fuels lifesaving research motivates her to take on a larger role this year. Her father’s experience also shaped her passion: “I feel so fortunate that my dad received care at Sloan Kettering, where they knew how to treat rare cancer. While each rare cancer affects few people, together they represent a major need—one that MSK is uniquely equipped to address.”

She hopes participants leave the event energized by the cause and connected to a community that’s making a real difference. Her family participated in a similar event back in 2013, and she fondly remembers the camaraderie, high-energy music, and fun prizes.  “I want people to walk away feeling like they helped save lives,” she says.

MSK’s breakthroughs are especially meaningful to the Kaplan family, particularly research into genetic markers that help doctors diagnose cancers more accurately and tailor treatment to individual patients. Advances in bone sarcoma research, for example, have revealed key genetic patterns that guide new therapy strategies—offering hope to families like theirs and paving the way for more personalized cancer care.

Samara encourages the DC Ranch community to support the event by signing up to ride, spreading the word, or donating through the event page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/Scottsdale.

Even sharing the cause with friends can help expand awareness and fuel progress for rare cancer patients.