“There’s something powerful about sharing an experience like this with your colleagues. You’re pushing through it together, and that stays with you." Matthew Spiret, Director - Product Marketing Static Low Force Applications
Riding Together for a Greater Purpose
From the moment the music started to the final pedal, Instron’s 2026 Cycle for Survival event was a powerful mix of energy, emotion and purpose. Stories from patients and survivors filled the room, inspiring participants to push themselves—not for bragging rights, but to raise as many dollars as possible for rare cancer research.
That unique combination of energy, camaraderie and purpose is what drew Matthew Spiret, Instron’s director of product marketing, to organize the division’s first ride in 2019 – and what inspired Jeff Shaffer, Instron’s director of sales for the Americas, to be among the first to sign up and continue participating each year.
Headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts, Instron, part of ITW’s Test & Measurement and Electronics segment, is the global market leader in materials testing, known for developing innovative equipment and services that advance mechanical testing.
A Personal Connection, A Shared Purpose
Cycle for Survival, which celebrated its 20th year in 2026, raises funds exclusively for rare cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a world-leading cancer treatment and research institution in New York. To date, the event has raised more than $450 million.
“I originally heard about Cycle for Survival through a friend,” Matthew said. “Around that same time, I had lost a family member to lung cancer, so the cause really resonated with me.”
What started as a small group in 2019 has since grown into a recurring team effort.
“You hear powerful, emotional stories from people impacted by cancer, and then that emotion turns into energy during the ride,” Matthew said. “It’s uplifting, even given the seriousness of the cause.”
Jeff had his own personal connection.
“I had a sister-in-law who was battling cancer at the time,” he said. “Like many on our team, everyone had some kind of personal connection. That shared motivation really brought us together.”
The atmosphere feels like a high-energy community gathering, bringing together people of all backgrounds, ages and experience levels.
“We all thought it might be competitive at first,” Jeff said, reflecting on the team’s first year. “But it’s not about who rides the longest; it’s about the collective experience and the shared cause behind it.”
Building Connections
Cycle for Survival has also become a powerful way to strengthen connections across Instron and ITW.
“One of the things I enjoy most is seeing people from all parts of the organization come together,” Matthew said. “It’s a chance to connect with colleagues you might not otherwise meet.”
Those connections often continue beyond the event.
“There were people there this year I hadn’t even met before,” Jeff added. “Now, when I see them in the hallway, we have something to connect over.”
The experience reflects ITW’s entrepreneurial and caring culture, one that empowers colleagues to be involved in their communities while supporting those efforts at scale.
At Instron, that support is driven in part through the Community Connections Committee, which encourages colleagues to bring forward ideas and lead initiatives they’re passionate about.
“If you genuinely care about a cause, people can feel that,” Matthew said. “It stops being a corporate initiative and becomes something personal and meaningful.”
Turning Participation into Impact
That sense of purpose translates into tangible impact.
With the support of ITW’s 3:1 charitable match, the Instron team has raised more than $125,000 since 2019, including more than $17,000 this year alone.
“It’s incredibly motivating,” Matthew said. “A $25 donation becomes $100 with the company match. That’s how we’re able to make such a meaningful impact together.”
ITW’s matching program plays a key role in that success.
“The matching program really amplifies what we’re able to do,” Jeff added. “It encourages more people to get involved and helps us maximize our impact.”
A Lasting Experience
At the end of the ride, what remains is the emotional connection and sense of purpose.
“There’s something powerful about sharing an experience like this with your colleagues,” Matthew said. “You’re pushing through it together, and that stays with you.”
For both Matthew and Jeff, the hope is that their experience inspires others across ITW to champion causes in their own communities.
“Hopefully something we’ve shared encourages others to get involved,” Jeff said. “It’s about finding a cause that matters to you and taking that first step.”
