Published in the July 5, 2017 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Townspeople will be able to make waves in the fight against adolescent and young adult cancer next week.

The 13th annual Reid’s Ride bike-a-thon is making its highly anticipated return to the North Shore on Sunday, July 16. The fundraiser is a summertime tradition in Lynnfield and the North Shore.

The 28-mile bike trek spans across the North Shore, beginning at Lynnfield High School, 275 Essex St., at 7:30 a.m. Local residents participating and supporting this year’s ride will be able to raise funds for new treatments for adolescents and young adults fighting cancer.

The ride raises funds for the Reid Sacco Cancer Alliance and serves as a tribute to the life and legacy of Reid Sacco. Reid was an LHS graduate who passed away in April 2005 after a courageous two-year fight with sarcoma.

After Reid passed away, his family started the Reid Sacco Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Alliance. The alliance supports research treatments for the cancers that strike adolescents and young adults, with the goal of fulfilling Reid’s dream of finding a cure.

“Reid’s Ride is an all-volunteer alliance who believes that since cancer doesn’t discriminate, neither do we,” said Lorraine Sacco, Reid’s mom. “Reid’s Ride is inclusive. Everyone can play an active role in the cancer battle. So, to our word, Reid’s Ride is doable and affordable. Because together, and only together, we will win for everyone.”

Last year’s ride featured nearly 400 cyclists and raised more than $195,000. The funds raised by the alliance allow the organization to fund scientific and clinical research specifically directed at finding better treatments and cures for the cancers predominantly striking young adults. The funds are also used to grant one or more scholarships each year to Lynnfield High School seniors.

The Reid Sacco Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Alliance has supported a number of different programs. The alliance has collaborated with Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and a number of adult cancer treatment centers in Hartford, Connecticut. The ride’s proceeds have also enabled Tufts Medical Center to launch the Reid R. Sacco AYA Program, including the Reid R. Sacco Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic for Cancer and Blood Diseases.

The 2016 Reid’s Ride had a “Star Wars” theme because Sacco said the fundraiser’s supporters were “The Force behind defeating adolescent and young adult cancers.” Sacco said “the theme of this year’s ride is Making Waves for AYAs,” and the alliance is “planning on a tsunami year.”

Sacco acknowledged planning this year’s Reid’s Ride has been challenging.

“This year has been particularly emotional with the most recent loss of two adolescents, Miles Goldberg, 14, and Kyle O’Grady, 15,” said Sacco. “They lost their battles within the last few months, but we will continue it for them and for all victims of this horrific disease. Once again, this is why we ride. It’s these young incredible lives that fuel me and the Reid R. Sacco AYA Cancer Alliance to work even harder if, at all possible, to bring people together for Reid’s Ride.

“Perseverance is a choice that breeds accomplishment,” Sacco continued. “It’s because of your choice. I am confident that together, and only together, we will win!”

The route for the 13th annual Reid’s Ride begins at LHS at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. Riders will be able to travel through some popular and beautiful cycling routes across the North Shore, including quaint seaside communities where riders will be able to see harbors and beaches.

The 28-mile route is moderately challenging depending on a ride’s cycling experience. Riders of all ages and abilities have conquered the last 11 rides with great success. All riders are required to wear helmets. There will also be technical chase teams monitoring the entire route for riders who need assistance.

Additionally, a rest and refreshment stop will be set up at the ride’s halfway point, located at Endicott College’s lower parking lot, across from the Wylie Conference Center and Inn.

How to register

If townspeople want to register for the 13th annual Reid’s Ride, residents should visit the ride’s fundraising page at https://www.firstgiving.com/Reidsride.

Residents can register to ride, join or create a team of riders, and create a personal or team fundraising page. Participants can raise funds from family members, friends, classmates and colleagues. Prizes will be awarded to the riders and teams who raise the most funds.

If residents cannot attend this year’s ride, townspeople can become a virtual rider if they want to raise funds in order to fight the cancers impacting adolescents and young adults.

The online registration site will close at 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 15. If residents miss the deadline, townspeople will still be able to ride in the event. Registration for same day riders opens at 6 a.m. at LHS, where participants can pay the registration fee and the donations collected. Participants will also be able to pick up a complimentary 2017 Reid’s Ride T-shirt and a bib number.

Residents will be able to rent bikes from Urban AdvenTours once again. The company will be delivering rental bikes to LHS on the morning of the ride and will be picking them at Stage Fort Park. Participants must reserve a bike in advance by calling (617)-670-0637. There will only be a limited number of bikes available to rent.

Sponsors

The 13th annual Reid’s Ride sponsors are CCMC, Dunkin Donuts, Tufts, Cam Media, Clear Channel, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Everett Bank, Fuddrucker’s, Landry’s, Lyons, North Shore Smiles, Pediatric Health Care Associates, Universal Screening, AFC Urgent Care, Amy Lou Photography, Baubles,  B-Yond Music, Dreamtime Wellness, JM Electrical, Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association, Lahey Hospital and Legal Seafood.

Also, Mariposa, MarketStreet, Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Northern Business Machines, The Priestley’s Fine Art Photography, Rainbow Balloons, Inc., Lynnfield Rotary Club, Peabody Rotary Club, Beverly Rotary Club, Stop and Shop, Strock, Wakefield Co-operative Bank, A.A. Dority and Bianco and Sons.

Also, Cerra’s (formerly Lynnfield Meat and Deli), Christine’s Deli, Claims Bureau, Countryside Deli, Crown Coffee, Eastern Bank, Jacobson Floral, Kayem, Keane, King’s at MarketStreet, the Law Offices of Colonna and Doyle, Liberty Bay Credit Union, Lynnfield High School, McDonald Funeral Home, Mix 104.1 and Monadnock Spring Water.

The remaining sponsors of the 13th annual Reid’s Ride are My Print and Copy, North Shore Radio, Northrup Associates, People’s United Bank, Prince Pizzeria, Robert McNeill, CPA, PC, Roman Limousine, Sachetta and Callahan, Sherr Financial, Torigian YMCA, Tube Ice, Urban AdvenTours, Whole Foods Market and YMCA of the North Shore.