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Ride to Defeat ALS November 2nd
CYCLISTS SHIFT INTO HIGH GEAR FOR 4TH ANNUAL RIDE TO DEFEAT ALS NOVEMBER 2ND
Registration is now open for charity bike ride benefitting The ALS Association Florida Chapter

TAMPA, FL – On Saturday, November 2nd, an estimated 500 cyclists will gather in Indian Rocks Beach for the 4th Annual Ride to Defeat ALS. The Ride to Defeat ALS is a one-day, fully supported cycling event that raises funds to fight Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The Ride raises funds to support programs, services and cutting-edge research for people suffering from Lou Gehrig’s Disease in Florida. Each participating cyclist raises funds that support these initiatives. While the minimum fundraising amount is $250, many participants exceed this amount, raising even more funds that go directly to those affected by ALS.

Everyone has a different reason for riding – to get healthy, achieve a personal goal, or to ride for a loved one impacted by ALS. No matter the reason for getting involved, The Ride to Defeat ALS unites cyclists in the mission to help people living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
The one-day ride, organized by The ALS Association Florida Chapter, was named the “Event of the Year” by the Florida Bicycle Association and includes three routes of varying intensity (5-mile, 25-mile, or 62-mile) for riders of all skill levels. Each route was designed for optimum safety and takes riders through scenic areas of Pinellas County, including Fort DeSoto Park. The Ride starts and ends at the Holiday Inn Harbourside in Indian Rocks Beach, FL. Breakfast will be served pre-ride and this year’s after party includes entertainment, lunch and ice cold beer. To register for the Ride or to sign up to help, visit www.RidetoDefeatALS.org.

What Is ALS?
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that progressively paralyzes its victims, attacking nerve cells and pathways in the brain or spinal cord. Patients are robbed of the ability to walk, eat, speak, and eventually breathe.

Upon diagnosis, patients are given just two to five years to live. ALS can strike anyone at any time and although there is no known cure, recent scientific breakthroughs provide hope for the future. Military veterans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS. The connection is currently unknown.

The ALS Association Florida Chapter
The ALS Association Florida Chapter offers care to ALS patients living in Florida and funds research to find the cause and cure for ALS. We are part of a nationwide network of local chapters with the same vision – a world without ALS. Through care, advocacy, research, education and support, we work to empower those with ALS to live fuller lives. Every year, The ALS Association invests millions of dollars in research conducted by the best and brightest scientists in the world. As the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS, we give help and hope to those facing a devastating disease.

11-02-2013

Ride to Defeat ALS November 2nd