For Immediate Release
July 14, 2007
Bike for Breath Rocks the SF Peninsula
Annual Ride Raises More Than $140,000 as Health Advocates, Lung Disease Patients and Local Residents Unite to Support Local Lung Health Programs & Services
Foster City, Calif. – Typically quaint on Saturdays, Applied Biosystem’s headquarters was bustling with energy this morning as hundreds of local residents arrived bright and early with bike, helmet and cycling gear in hand. Because on this day, the campus took center stage in the fight against lung disease as site of the 16th annual Bike for Breath.
Each summer, Breathe California’s bike ride seeks to raise money for a wide array of local lung disease education, prevention, research and patient assistance programs. Participants are encouraged to form teams of friends, families and co-workers as well as collect pledges to help support the local agency. Riders then come together on event day to enjoy a family-friendly ride along the San Francisco Peninsula and show their support for the fight against lung disease.
“Lung disease is the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S. and afflicts hundreds of thousands of people here in the Bay Area,” said Sadie Waddington, event organizer for Breathe California’s annual ride. “Bike for Breath offers a fun and easy opportunity for local residents to come out with their loved ones and contribute to a worthy cause.”
This year’s event attracted close to 800 riders of all ages and abilities, who could choose between one of the four different bike routes (ranging from 10 to 62 miles). Starting at 6:30, riders were welcomed to breakfast, music and even the opportunity to have their bike serviced by REI and Summit Bicycles before heading out on their ride. Upon their return, the Start/Finish area had transformed into a full-scale fair, featuring a 25-booth Expo Area, lunch provided by Sodexho, prize drawings and on-site music hosted by 107.7 the Bone and radio personality Joe Rock. In addition, new to Bike for Breath this year was an interactive Kids Zone where children could learn about road safety, ride their own bike through a mini-obstacle course, decorate their helmets and have their face painted.
Yet, even with the festive atmosphere, the event was truly fueled by a common passion for reducing the impact of lung disease in the community. And with committed riders – including many who have had to confront lung disease in their daily lives – leading the way, Breathe California was able to raise more than $175,000 for critical local health programs.
“I consider myself hugely fortunate because we were able to catch my condition early, while it’s still treatable,” said Palo Alto resident Sara Hart, who is currently fighting lung cancer. “This ride is great because it allows me to get on my bike and support Breathe California’s mission to fight lung disease.”
Added Mari Patton, an Oakland resident suffering from a rare and incurable lung disease known as lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), “I’m riding because not a lot of people know about LAM and it’s important to get the word out. Organizations like Breathe California are important to raise awareness about lung disease and the ride is a great opportunity to get involved.”
The 16th annual Bike for Breath was proudly sponsored by Applied Biosystems; Sodexho; Kaiser Permanente; Genentech; InterMune; Toyota; Burr, Pilger & Mayer, LLP; Nikon; Walgreens; Wells Fargo; Meriwest Credit Union; CBS 5; 107.7 the Bone; and Palo Alto Weekly. The annual bike ride is hosted by Breathe California, who has been dedicated to fighting lung disease and promoting lung health in Bay Area communities for close to 100 years. For more information on the Bike for Breath, please visit www.bike4breath.org or call Breathe California at 1-877-3-BREATHE.
Media Contact: Dave Low
(408) 998-5865, david@lungsrus.org