Published in the July 12, 2017 edition
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — It’s time to make waves in the fight against adolescent and young adult cancer.
The highly anticipated Reid’s Ride bike-a-thon is returning to the North Shore for the 13th year on Sunday, July 16. 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 a Lynnfield High School graduate who passed away in April 2005 after a courageous two-year fight with sarcoma.
Similar to previous Reid’s Ride bike-a-thons, this year’s event will raise funds for the Reid Sacco Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Alliance. The alliance, which was started by Reid’s family after his passing, supports research treatments for the cancers that strike adolescents and young adults. The alliance’s goal is to fulfill Reid’s dream of finding a cure for cancer.
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 ride’s proceeds 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 alliance has collaborated with Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and a number of adult cancer treatment centers in Hartford, Conn. as well.
Additionally, the ride’s funds are also used to grant one or more scholarships each year to Lynnfield High School seniors.
The theme of the 2017 Reid’s Ride is “Making Waves for AYAs.” Lorraine Sacco, Reid’s mom, said recently the alliance is “planning on a tsunami year.”
The 28-mile bike trek spans across the North Shore, beginning at Lynnfield High School, 275 Essex St., at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester. Riders will travel through some of the North Shore’s most popular and beautiful cycling routes, where riders will be able to observe beaches and harbors located in quaint seaside communities.
Riders of all ages and abilities have conquered the last 12 rides with great success, as the 28-mile route is moderately challenging.
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 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, they should visit the ride’s fundraising page at https://www.firstgiving.com/Reidsride. They 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.
Townspeople who are unable to participate in this year’s ride 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 noon on Saturday, July 15. Those who miss the deadline will still be able to ride in the event. Registration for same-day riders opens at 6 a.m. at LHS where they can pay the registration fee and submit their donations. Participants can also pick up a complimentary 2017 Reid’s Ride T-shirt and a bib number.
Participants without bikes will be able to rent them 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 up at Stage Fort Park. Participants must reserve a bike in advance by calling 617-670-0637. There are 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 Lynnfield, Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Northern Business Machines, The Priestley’s Fine Art Photography, Rainbow Balloons, Lynnfield Rotary Club, Peabody Rotary Club, Beverly Rotary Club, Stop and Shop, Strock, Wakefield Co-operative Bank, A.A. Dority and Bianco and Sons.
And, 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.
As well as, 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.
