Ninth Annual Brett’s Ride Set for Oct. 7 to Benefit Cancer Research at Brenner Children’s Hospital

September 26, 2012

The ninth annual Brett’s Ride for Pediatric Cancer Research will be held Sunday, Oct. 7, in Hickory, with proceeds benefiting research on childhood cancers at Brenner Children’s Hospital at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Over the past eight years, the event has raised more than $940,000 for cancer research and attracted more than 8,500 participants. Event organizers contributed $70,000 to Brenner Children’s Hospital from the 2011 event’s proceeds. The event’s cumulative fundraising total is expected to surpass $1 million this year.

The event offers cyclists 10-, 32- and 52-mile bicycle rides starting at 9 a.m. at the Hickory Foundation YMCA at 701 First Street NW in Hickory. Entry fee for the 10- and 32-mile rides is $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the event. Entry fee for the 52-mile ride includes a timing chip, and is $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the ride.

Parents with young children in strollers, wagons, tricycles or bicycles can register for Brett’s Ride Adventure Zone and Tot Ride, which will be open from 9:30 a.m. to noon on a half-mile track behind the YMCA. Entry fee is $10.

Helmets are required for all rides. Registration information and event details are available at www.BrettsRide.org.

The event is named after Hickory native Brett Gosnell, who died in 2006 at age 20 after battling rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare muscle cancer that primarily affects young people.

Media Relations

Eric Whittington: ewhittin@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-5318

Mac Ingraham: mingraha@wakehealth.edu, 336-716-3487