Ride Ataxia raises thousands

Ride Ataxia raises thousands

Over 230 riders bike from Channahon

CHANNAHON — On Sunday, July 22, the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance held a fundraising event called Ride Ataxia in Channahon.

Ride Ataxia is a bike event that allows individuals at any level of biking to participate in a ride to promote public awareness and raise research funds for a progressive neuromuscular disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia.

The event began in Central Park in Channahon on the I & M Canal towpath, went on to William Stratton Park in Morris traveling west, north and then back east through Minooka before returning to Central Park. The event offered four-, 12-, 34- and 52-mile bike routes.

Event organizers want to extend a very heartfelt thank you to the people that went out of their way to make this event possible, including Kristen Knutson and Ellen Macuiba at the Channahon Park District; Lt. Mark Fischer and Steve Wiess of Channahon Police Department; Harvey VanCleave, Deputy Chief of Police in Morris; Jill Jackson, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Laura Kiran, Will County Forest Preserve; Karin Evans, Channahon School District 17; Pete Pasteris, Nettle Creek Elementary School; Tim Wallace Landscaping; Channahon General Rentals; Portable John Inc.; Joliet Outback Steakhouse; Naperville Carraba’s Italian Grill; Schaumburg Bonefish Grill; The Bike Rack, St. Charles; and Mox Multisport.

Over 230 bike riders participated in the event. Ten Friedreich’s Ataxia families were represented, and $60,000 was raised for Friedreich’s Ataxia research

http://www.morrisdailyherald.com/2012/08/01/ride-ataxia-raises-thousands/aevaxss/