3rd Annual Bike Ride/Walk for Cancer Research Is Sunday, May 4

By Debbie Cohen

Enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride or walk on Sunday, May 4, while helping to raise money for cancer research. The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation and Port Washington Bicycles have teamed up again for the third Annual Ride for Research Bike Tour.

The ride will begin and end at Soundview Marketplace on Shore Road. This year, the longer tour, which starts at 8:30 a.m., has been lengthened from 11 to 15 miles; the 4-mile course remains the same and begins at 9:00 a.m. For safety reasons, tricycles, bicycles with training wheels, scooter and skateboards are not permitted and every rider must wear a helmet.

All riders will receive an event T-shirt and a drawstring backsack, and are invited to an after-ride celebration of food and beverages, courtesy of Apple & Eve, Arizona Beverage, Coca-Cola, Harbor Deli, Moo La La, Port Farms and St. Honore. Each participant will also be given a free raffle ticket to win one of dozens of great prizes donated by local businesses and residents. Extra raffle tickets are also available for purchase by anyone.  The after ride/walk gathering will conclude with an award ceremony for top fundraising individuals and teams.

Registration fees are fully tax-deductible. Register by April 24 and the fees are $25 for adults and $15 for children; from April 25 – May 2, fees are $35 for adults and $20 for children; for the weekend of the event (May 3 and 4), fees are $50 for adults and $25 for children. All proceeds will be used for research to help find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and allied cancers.

Port Washington resident Lauri Strauss lost her battle with leukemia at the young age of 26. Several years later, her parents, Evelyn and Herb Strauss founded LSLF. Their events have raised millions of dollars for cancer research and marrow drives. Since blood travels throughout the body, discoveries made through blood cancer research can also help cure other forms of cancer. Leukemia research is the stalking horse of cancer research. Discoveries made are applicable to many other forms of cancer.

For those interested in joining the marrow registry and potentially save a life, a swab of the cheek is all it takes to become a potential donor.  A blood center representative will be on hand to explain the process.

In addition to rider registration fees and donations made by their personal and team sponsors, the event has secured generous monetary and in-kind sponsorships from local businesses and foundations. Of particular note is Carbon Frame Sponsor, the Peter and Jeri Dejana Family Foundation. Their $17,000 donation will support the event, underwrites the backsacks all participants will receive and sponsors entertainment and activities that the Parent Resource Center will organize.

“This is a great event that gets people out on a beautiful Sunday morning to appreciate the beauty of Port Washington while raising money for a very worthy cause,” said Jim Avena, Dejana Foundation Grant Administrator.

In addition to a monetary donation, The Training Station will also offer pre-ride/walk yoga stretches. When participants return from their rides/walks, they can enjoy a chair or hand massage, courtesy of Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa.  

Adding to the many sponsors the event committee has secured, ten stores are teaming up to help raise funds for research by hosting a five-day shopping event. From April 23-27, Bluetique, Entrée, Frippery, Impulse, Painting With Flowers, Port Washington Bicycles, Shoe Vault, Suite 275, Vintage Grapes and wit & whim will donate a percentage of sales profits to LSLF to help make the bike tour fundraiser an even greater success.

“The overwhelming support we are receiving from the community is very heart-warming,” added Evelyn Strauss, committee co-chair and president of LSLF. “This is a fabulous event that is growing bigger every year!”

Evelyn’s co-chair, Ralph Intintoli, owner of Port Washington Bicycles, grew up in Port Washington. He became actively involved in many fundraising activities for leukemia and other blood cancers once his wife, Laura Ann was diagnosed with multi myeloma in 2001. She unfortunately passed away in 2009, but Ralph remains actively involved in initiatives that support finding both cause and cure for these devastating diseases.