A Reason to Ride returns for its sixth annual charity event on Sunday, September 8, 2013. Ride to support cancer care and research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
The sixth annual A Reason To Ride presented by Fuddruckers will be held on Sunday, September 8 at 8:00 a.m. in Danvers. An annual bike-a-thon through the North Shore, A Reason to Ride raises critical funds for cancer care and research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Last year, more than 200 cyclists rode 10-, 25- or 50-mile rides through the scenic North Shore towns of Danvers, Wenham, Ipswich, Essex, Gloucester, and Topsfield, raising more than $55,000.
Each year the ride draws an increasing number of riders, participants, and supporters and has surpassed its ambitious fundraising goals. “We aim to raise $100,000 from the event this year and would like to see more than 300 riders come out,” states Tom DesFosses, cancer survivor and founder of A Reason to Ride. “Cancer is one of those diseases that touches everyone’s life, whether you were diagnosed yourself, a family member or close friend. This ride means a lot to me and my family, and not only helps raise money to support research at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, but also helps provide care to people and families each year who cope with one of the most horrendous illnesses in the world.”
A Reason to Ride was started by Tom DesFosses, a grateful patient and survivor of brain cancer. Diagnosed with primary CNS lymphoma, a cancerous brain tumor, DesFosses credits Dr. Eric Wong at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center with saving his life. In 2007, DesFosses, with the support of his family and friends, rode his bike over 750 miles across New England to raise funds for Dr. Eric Wong’s Brain Tumor Fund. The following year, he felt he could make his ride into something bigger and started A Reason to Ride, now it its sixth year. The charity now helps support other cancer areas within Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Since 2007, A Reason to Ride has raised more than $250,000, with 100 percent of the funds gong directly to cancer care and research.
A Reason to Ride is an annual bike-a-thon with the option of 10- 25- or 50-mile bike rides through the north shore. There is something for everyone, from leisure cyclists to serious riders, and everything in between. Registration is $25 per child, $50 per adult, and $150 per family to benefit cancer care and research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The family-friendly event also features a trike-a-thon for kids, a Fuddruckers cookout, raffles, music, and much more. Join us on Sunday, September 8 for the sixth annual ride.
Once again, this year’s presenting sponsor is Fuddruckers. Support for the ride also comes from The Print House, Jungle Prints, Liberty Tree Mall, Herb Chambers Auto Dealerships, Starbucks, and Dunkin Donuts. To become a sponsor or make contributions call or email Tom DesFosses at tomdesfosses@gmail.com.
A Reason to Ride presented by Fuddruckers has raised more than $250,000 to support Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center doctors and researchers develop better treatments as they work toward finding a cure for cancer. Please visit fb.com/AReasonToRide for more information and to register for this year’s ride.