Lewes screening of ‘A Life in Tandem’ to benefit cancer research
A special screening of “A Life in Tandem” will take place Sunday, May 3, at the Cinema Art Theater near Lewes. All proceeds will benefit the Keystone State Ride and cancer research.
“A Life in Tandem” tells the true story of Luke Grenfell-Shaw. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at 24, he sets out on a 20,000-mile tandem cycling journey from Bristol to Beijing. Along the way, he forms meaningful connections with people across the world while navigating personal loss and the impact of his illness. The local screening is being organized by Dave Wellborn, a cancer survivor who regularly takes on long-distance bike rides to support cancer research. He saw great importance in bringing the film to Delaware after attending a previous showing.
“There are a couple of things that stuck out,” said Wellborn. “Often, we are riding with people we’ve never met before, and by the end of the week, we all become very close friends. And there are scenes in the movie like this. You have a very common goal and a connection to cancer research, and you spend the ride getting to know each other. And what’s the story behind each person? Why did they want to do this? Who are they really riding for? It’s just an amazing experience.”
Wellborn is the founder of the Keystone State Ride, a nonprofit established in 2024 that raises funds for cancer research through an annual bike ride from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. The organization supports its riders by covering travel and logistical costs, allowing participants to focus on fundraising the committed minimum of $2,500. Funds directly support research at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, contributing to advancements in cancer treatment and care. In its first two years, the initiative has raised more than $80,000. The local screening of “A Life in Tandem” will serve as an additional fundraiser to support the organization’s ongoing efforts and future rides.
“I did a ride in 2024 called the Empire State Ride, which goes from New York City to Niagara Falls, and that’s been around for about 10 years and they’ve raised about $12 million,” said Wellborn. “So I thought that was a great thing, because I am a cancer survivor as well, and then I started thinking about how I really wanted to support the cancer center where I was treated in Philly. That’s why I came up with the idea of doing the Keystone State Ride.”
The event also highlights the role of the local community in supporting these efforts. Through fundraisers, small business partnerships, and community involvement, a strong network of support continues to grow around the Keystone State Ride. That local community support not only helps sustain events like the “A Life in Tandem” screening, but also contributes to the broader mission of advancing cancer research and supporting those impacted by the disease.
“I hope people realize that cancer affects so many of us,” said Wellborn. “I think we tend not to think about cancer. In fact, when I first had cancer in 2013, I didn't tell many people that I had cancer, and I just kind of wanted to get through the treatment and move on with my life. But when you start thinking about it, that's when you start realizing how many people that you know were impacted by they either had it or they knew someone that had cancer, and so they know what people went through. So, I just want to bring awareness to the importance of cancer research.”
