CF Ride Glides Through Town Where it Originated Saturday
The fundraiser began as Haylee's Ride and this year shares the road with Celebrate Holliston.
The following press release was submitted by CF Cycle for Life.
On October 1st you can join the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as it spins towards the CF cure and control for the Aptalis CF Cycle for Life. The Cycle for Life originated in Holliston as the Cycle for Haylee, named for Haylee Reed whose aunt and uncle, Amy and Matt Varrell are Holliston residents.
“When Haylee was born with cystic fibrosis I knew it was time to mobilize. Our family realized that the local chapter of the CF Foundation didn’t have a cycling event. So we started one in Holliston.”
Matt had no way of knowing that 14 years later the national Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would take his lead and coordinate 47 rides across the country. Nationally, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation hopes to raise $2.2 million; an amazing climb from $550,000 in 2010. Locally, 248 registered riders are hoping to raise $150,000 – they’re only $60,000 away with one week to go.
The CF Cycle for Life starts and ends at the Fatima Shrine in Holliston, to benefit Cystic Fibrosis. The Cycle for Life will offer the traditional Jenna Loop -12 miles and Haylee Loop - 30 miles as well as a new 65+ mile - 65 Roses Loop. These scenic routes travel through the towns of Ashland, Concord, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Marlboro, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Natick, Sherborn and Sudbury.
The bike tour attracts both experienced and recreational riders in addition to family riders who ride the 12 mile loop. Entry fees are $25 for an individual rider with a minimum pledge requirement of $200 per rider.
Riders who raise added funds are eligible for great prizes. 65 milers register at 7:00 am and ride at 8:00 am. 12 and 30 milers register at 9:00 am and ride and 10:00 am.
“Thanks to the funds that are raised at events like the CF Cycle for Life, every day science moves closer to finding therapies that address the basic defect of this disease,” shared event chairperson Matt Varrell. “Research allows children and young adults with CF to dream and plan for the future they never thought they had. I have two nieces with CF so these advancements. The wonderful people of Holliston with help from event leaders Bud Dodge, Patty Osten and Steve Hedrick (all Holliston residents) – will even manage to coordinate this event alongside Celebrate Holliston.”
The day starts with breakfast from Dunkin Donuts, bike check ups from Grace Bicycles, amazing Road Support of event Sponsor Landry’s Bicycles, a delicious lunch from Tennessee’s BBQ, beer garden hosted by John Harvard’s Brew House and massages from Allied Chiropractic and Whole Health of Franklin.
Visit the website for more details and to register or donate or call Terry Waite at (508) 655-5000 in Natick.
Patty Osten
7:35 am on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Another great thing about this Cycle event is the number of youth in our towns that come out to support it. Give a shout out of thanks to HHS Boys Soccer Program, HHS Girls Basketball program, a Youth Soccer team from Ashland and Youth from Concord and Sudbury who are covering parts of the 65 mile route! The future of volunteerism and philanthropy at it's finest!