Coast-to-Coast Ride for Alzheimer’s: Bike4Alz Stops in Lexington
A 3,952-mile journey across the United States has taken a special stop in Lexington, Kentucky. Bike4Alz, a nonprofit created by fraternity members at Western Kentucky University, is on their annual trek from San Francisco to Virginia Beach. The purpose of this coast-to-coast ride is to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease research and support services. The team made a pit stop in Lexington, a significant checkpoint marking 2,850 miles into their journey.
Young Minds Driven to Make a Difference
Comprised of 12 riders, all students of Western Kentucky, and members of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), the team has committed their summer breaks to fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The journey began on May 21 in San Francisco, aiming to reach Virginia Beach by July 28 as part of their annual cross-country trek.
Support for Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
Lexington holds importance for its home to UK’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging – a respected global leader in Alzheimer’s research. Designed as one of the 37 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers in the US, Sanders-Brown receives direct grants from Bike4Alz. This year, Bike4Alz pledged to donate $75,000 to Sanders-Brown to further support their cutting-edge research programs in Alzheimer’s disease.
Bike4Alz board member and alumni, Cameron Hamilton, expressed the group’s satisfaction in their collaboration saying, “Our Kentucky-based nonprofit is fortunate to have a world-class Alzheimer’s research center, in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging…We are thrilled to work with their scientists to identify areas of need in their research that let us maximize the impact of our fundraising dollars.”
Building Bonds, Creating Impact
The Sanders-Brown team has always appreciated the dedication and commitment of this group of college students. They have been welcoming the students for the past few years – taking them on guided tours of their lab spaces, and updating them about ongoing research efforts.
Director of UK’s Sanders-Brown Center, Linda Van Eldik, Ph.D., showed gratitude towards Bike4Alz’s efforts. “Their dedication not only raises crucial funds for Alzheimer’s research but also brings hope to countless families affected by this devastating disease,” she said. “Together, we can make a profound impact on the fight against Alzheimer’s.”
Shrimp Boil Fundraiser
During their stop in Lexington, Bike4Alz took the opportunity to host a Shrimp Boil fundraiser. The money from this fundraiser will be donated towards Alzheimer’s research, making another stride closer to defeating this disease.
With more than 10,000 dedicated healthcare professionals under its umbrella, UK HealthCare provides not only advanced sub-specialty care, but also conducts continuous research towards developing novel cures, treatments, and medical policies. Their partnership with organizations like Bike4Alz marks a significant step towards the collective goal of eradicating diseases like Alzheimer’s.
