White Plains , N.Y. - This July, cyclists from across the country will ride in the Tri-State Trek, a 3-day, 270 mile bike ride that starts in Boston on Friday, July 15th, and finishes three days later on the campus of Pace University in White Plains , New York .
The third annual Trek will raise money for the ALS Therapy Development Foundation, a nonprofit biotechnology company developing treatments for patients living with ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.The Tri State Trek has always finished in White Plains , but with the recent diagnosis of White Plains Councilman Robert Greer with the disease, this year the event’s cause has hit very close to home.
“Every year there has been tremendous support from the City of White Plains , its police department and public officials,” said Mat Mendel, the event’s organizer and longtime cyclist. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Councilman Greer and his family.”
“ALS TDF is doing wonderful things to help end this disease,” Mendel added. “This fundraiser is designed to push the human spirit.”
Arriving in the city on Sunday, July 17th, cyclists will ride up Anderson Hill Road to Westchester Avenue and on to North Broadway before arriving at Pace University .
White Plains caught the attention of event organizers from the beginning. Its proximity to New York City , public transportation facilities and bicycle-friendly environment make it perfect for the finish. An all-volunteer crew will support the riders on their 270-mile ride, and organizers encourage local residents to cheer on riders along the route, come to the finish line at Pace, or ride the last 70 miles from New Haven . Limited space is still available for cyclists wishing to ride.
“I am confident that the citizens of White Plains will come out and support the riders as they complete the grueling three day trek,” said White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino. “We can only hope that this truly special event will bring us that much closer to finding a cure for ALS.”
The event finish line, sponsored by Land America Financial Group, Inc., will be at the Pace University Campus, and cyclists will be treated to a barbeque lunch provided by Outback Steakhouse.
The ALS Therapy Development Center was founded in 1999 by Jamie Heywood when his brother Stephen was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. In a race against time to save his brother's life, Heywood founded the world's first ALS-focused nonprofit biotechnology company from his parents’ basement in a Boston suburb and began offering hope to people living with ALS. ALS TDF now operates out of a high-tech research facility where a dedicated team of researchers and staff search each day for a treatment and cure on behalf of Stephen and all of today's ALS patients.
For more information on ALS TDF or the Tri-State Trek please visit www.als.net or www.tristatetrek.com .