Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) is dedicated to discovering the causes and cures of autoimmune and genetic diseases. Such research benefits patients with conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and cancer, www.benaroyaresearch.org. Benaroya Research Institute is fueled by scientific collaboration, which is a similar commitment necessary for a cycling racing team.

Bike racing is generally seen as an individual sport; actually it is a team effort, with each member providing support, strategy and determination to carry the eventual winner across the finish line. Many of us have seen the effort Lance Armstrong has put forth winning the Tour de France seven years in succession. Individually he is a very gifted rider, with his team he is a champion. This is an excellent example of how “team” is defined in cycling.

This type of “team collaboration” is exactly how researchers at BRI employ a search for answers of disease and their origins. Using state-of-the-art technologies, BRI operates side-by-side with Virginia Mason Medical Center and other leading edge academic organizations. BRI applies their discoveries from the lab directly to patient treatments, offering life saving options.

Both the BRI cycling team and the BRI research team embody the highest level of dedication to their cause -- sharing it though community involvement and education, as well as a desire to usher the power of BRI’s research to as many people as possible.

Our team of exceptional athletic ambassadors will touch the community taking both cycling and BRI’s mission closer to the masses. These two teams are poised for a great year of success in 2007!