Event benefits Volunteer Transportation Center and American Cancer Society
(SACKETS HARBOR, NY) – North Country Against Cancer, organizer of the annual SpokerRide, has announced the ride will return for its 20th year.
“It’s hard to believe we’re already celebrating 20 years of the SpokerRide,” said organizer Jeff Wood. “It seems like only yesterday this whole journey started.”
The SpokerRide – a cycling event that benefits the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and the Volunteer Transportation Center – began in 2003. That was when Mr. Wood and his brother, Steve, both cancer survivors, were looking for a way to give back to all of the people and organizations that helped them during their individual cancer journeys.
“After our cancer diagnoses and, while in recovery, my brother and I were thinking – how could we give back to those that don’t have the resources we do when battling cancer,” said Mr. Wood. “From there, the idea of a bike ride to benefit cancer survivors was born.”
At the time, there weren’t any bike races in the North Country that focused on raising money for organizations that helped those with cancer. So, the Wood brothers decided to give it a try and organize an event to benefit the American Cancer Society and the Livestrong Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides support for people affected by cancer.
“It naturally made sense to choose the American Cancer Society and Livestrong; they had the resources to assist survivors already in place,” said Mr. Wood.
The first year exceeded their expectations, he said.
“Even though we only had 66 riders and raised just over $5,000,” said Mr. Wood, “we could see that we had something that would grow year after year and benefit so many people.”
And, with that, SpokerRide was off and running – or rather, cycling.
The event continued, year after year, raising money for the American Cancer Society and the Livestrong Foundation before a connection was made with the Volunteer Transportation Center in 2016.
“As we grew in size and scope, we recognized that there was a high demand locally for services,” said Mr. Wood. “The VTC was a great fit for us as they provide rides to cancer patients for their treatments and doctor’s appointments – it was a natural fit.”
In keeping with the desire to help organizations that help those with cancer, the funding from SpokerRide for the VTC was earmarked for those the nonprofit transports to and from cancer treatments and related services.
Last year, the SpokerRide saw more than 150 riders participate after having to switch to a virtual event only in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event saw great enthusiasm with its in-person return, raising more than $12,500 to benefit the American Cancer Society and the VTC.
“After COVID-19, we have seen an even greater demand for services for cancer survivors,” said Mr. Wood. “Now, more than ever, we need to raise funds to help those that need it most.”
That tradition continues today, offering two competitive courses: a 50-mile advanced course and 30-mile beginner/intermediate course. A 10-mile novice course, which is not timed, is also available for those who want to participate but not race.
This year’s SpokerRide will return on Saturday, July 30. The 50-mile race will start at 8:30 a.m., 30-mile race at 8:45 a.m. and 10-mile ride at 9 a.m. Packet pick-up and race day registration starts at 7 a.m. at the Third Alarm Building (Public Safety Building), 411 W. Washington St., Sackets Harbor, located near the entrance to the Sackets Harbor Battlefield.
Lunch will be provided for all riders after the ride. There will be food available for purchase by non-participants as well, and there are many area restaurants open on race day.
An awards ceremony will immediately follow the ride. All riders are eligible for the grand prize, with a drawing to be held at the award ceremony. There will also be awards for the intermediate and advanced courses for fastest in each age/sex category. Additionally, there are numerous door prizes and giveaways during the awards ceremony.
In addition to in-person participation, a virtual participation option will again be offered. Those who want to participate will be able to do so at their leisure until Aug. 13, when timings recorded through verified apps like Strava or MapMyRide will be due to organizers for review.
Participants registered by Friday, July 8, will receive a free T-shirt. T-shirts are not included in late and race day registrations. Registration for each race is $45 per person. The event is also a designated Operation Yellow Ribbon event, with those who are active duty members of the military or veterans being able to register for $40 for in-person participation. Day-of registration will be $50 per person or $45 for military or veterans.
That support is important to both the American Cancer Society and the VTC.
“We’re extremely grateful to North Country Against Cancer for hosting the SpokerRide and choosing to support the American Cancer Society year after year,” said Don Boshart, Senior Development Manager with the American Cancer Society of the Northeast Region.
Thanks to the SpokerRide, the American Cancer Society has been able to help those with cancer receive rides to appointments, lodging through ACS Hope Lodges when having to travel away from home, and crucial information. In addition, proceeds have helped fund research that will one day eliminate this disease, said Mr. Boshart.
“The SpokerRide bike race has been a staple here in the North Country and I would encourage you to support their efforts as they continue to make a difference in the lives of those who have been diagnosed with cancer,” he said.
“The partnership we’ve had with North Country Against Cancer over the years has been one that we value beyond words,” said Jeremiah S. Papineau, Director of Communications and Foundation Director for the VTC. “Their generosity and the generosity of sponsors and participants come together every year to help us in our mission, specifically for those we help who are facing the many challenges cancers present.”
Those interested in sponsoring or participating this year’s SpokerRide may visit www.spokerride.net. Registration may be completed on the website or by printing the registration form, completing it and sending it with payment in care of “VTC Foundation” to North Country Against Cancer, c/o Volunteer Transportation Center, 24685 State Route 37, Watertown, N.Y. 13601.
For more information or to register, contact organizer Jeff Wood at 315-783-6258 or spokerride@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Their global headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia, and they have regional and local offices throughout the country to ensure they have a presence in every community. Learn more about who they are, what they do, and their plans for the future by visiting www.cancer.org.
For more information about the American Cancer Society’s work in the North Country, contact Don Boshart, Senior Development Manager with the American Cancer Society of the Northeast Region, at 315-816-7441 or email at don.boshart@cancer.org.
ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION CENTER
The Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC), established in 1991, drives thousands of miles each year assisting community members in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties and beyond. Over the last 30 years, this essential non-profit organization has provided rides to health care appointments, food sources and other critical needs destinations for residents.
In 2021, VTC volunteer drivers provided 26,711 charitable trips over 1,073,435 miles in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Of those miles, 470,002 helped those in Jefferson County, 151,954 in Lewis County, and 451,479 in St. Lawrence County. That equated to approximately $477,679 in mileage reimbursement for our volunteers.
The staff, boards of directors and volunteer drivers look forward to a time when transportation to community activities and services is accessible to all North Country residents regardless of economic or specialized needs. But for now the mission drives on — striving to provide transportation to health, wellness and critical needs destinations utilizing volunteers and mobility management for anyone who has barriers to transportation.
For more information about how you can help the Volunteer Transportation Center, about its upcoming events, or to become a volunteer driver, contact the agency in Jefferson and Lewis Counties at 315-788-0422, in St. Lawrence County at 315-714-2034, in Oswego County at 315-694-6644, or Western New York at 585-250-5030. Volunteers drive their own cars, set their own hours and receive mileage reimbursement but, more importantly, make a difference in the community. To learn more, visit www.volunteertransportationcenter.org.