Sunday's Bicycles Battling Cancer ride will not only raise money for cancer research, but will be a personal challenge for Newton resident Judi Burten.
Before she was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2005, Burton was an avid bike rider. The Waltham-based ValPak employee said she would often ride for a variety of charities.
The American Cancer Society's first Bicycles Battling Cancer event on Sunday will be the longest ride Burten has done since her diagnosis.
The 70-mile route starts at Clark University in Worcester and ends at Hellenic College in Brookline.
"I personally wanted the challenge, and I wanted to do it for an event like this," Burten said. "This is going to be the most challenging ride I've gone on since I was diagnosed with cancer."
The money raised will benefit the America Cancer Society's programs and services. The event is being held specifically to draw attention to the organization's Hope Lodges, according to Holly Randall, project manager for endurance events at the New England division of the American Cancer Society.
The Hope Lodge facilities, located in Boston, Worcester and Burlington, Vt., become a "home away from home" for people who have to travel for cancer treatment, Parker said. Patients are given their own room in addition to shared space where they can spend time with other cancer patients, Randall said.
Burton said she decided to ride in Bicycles Battling Cancer because she wanted to "give back to an organization that helped me."
Burten is riding with team "Got Hope." Members include her co-captian Kip Cleaver of Acton, and her husband, Kevin Soll.
Peter Sleight of Framingham, president of Everactive, has volunteered as a trainer for the event, according to an American Cancer Society press release.
There is a $50 registration fee to participate in the event and an $800 minimum fundraising goal per participant.
Burten said she is aiming to raise $2,000, though she said because of the economy it has been difficult to raise money.
To make a donation, visit www.cancer.org/bicyclesbattlingcancer.
This year, there are five teams and 25 riders participating in the ride. The organization is hoping to raise about $125,000.
"We hope to have a successful ride this year, and spread the word and get more riders for next year," Randall said.
"I'll be on board to do next year's ride," Burten said.
