On September 9th, 2023, more than 2,000 riders gathered in New Haven for the Closer to Free ride, a fundraising bike ride which benefits the Smilow Cancer Hospital and the Yale Cancer Center. One man will detail how this simple event has changed his life for the past three years. 

Chip Schofield is a retired Naugatuck police officer and school security officer at Judson Elementary. November 26th, 2019, Schofield was diagnosed with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine cancer. Originally, Schofield had no knowledge of this event, and found out through his oncology nurse. This year was his third year participating. Unfortunately for the past two years, he hasn’t been able to ride because his health has declined. When asked what he has done instead, he says he cheers. His team consists of Oncologists, Doctors, and cancer patients. Some of the nurses are even survivors themselves. 

Prior to joining his team, they would make a facebook post, and ask friends and family for donations, but this wasn’t enough for Schofield .

 They keep track of their top fundraisers, and since he is so competitive, he always wanted to be towards the top. 

“I love fundraising, I love getting people involved, and getting the word out there,” Schofield said. 

So when Chip joined the team, they had a pasta dinner. It gives them not only the opportunity to fundraise, but to feed friends, family, and their supporters, along with getting to know them as riders. This event is very important to Schofield.

 “It shows that I’m still able to ride when I can, and support my teammates, the riders, and other riders.”

 In the sea of people at this event, to see someone wearing a “survivor” shirt is so important. It showcases the resilience in people, and ones who are lucky enough to say they won this tough battle. But Schofield much prefers to call himself a fighter. 

“I’m still fighting cancer; I’m fighting hard, and I’m battling everyday.”

Closer to free has a website, which you can access and find all the information you need. You can be a rider, a volunteer, or a sponsor. You can get in touch with people involved in the event, and even be a remote rider. This means you don’t even have to be in Connecticut to participate and fundraise. This is a very emotional and wonderful event for an absolutely beautiful cause. 100% of every dollar a rider collects goes directly back to Smilow Cancer hospital and Yale cancer center for research, patient care, and treatment.  

“All that to change somebody’s life.” 

 Schofield is an inspiration to many, even if he doesn’t see it that way.