Student Leads Largest Team, Raises Most Money for Cancer

Ryan McNeill, a 21-year-old senior accounting major at Merrimack College, led a team of 30 people and raised $3,700 for the 5th Annual Reid’s Ride – a 28-mile bike-a-thon for adolescent and young adult cancer. Ryan’s team was the largest in the race and raised the most funds.

“My motivation for the ride originally came from the Sacco family being a close family friend.  However, it has turned into much more than that and something my entire family and all our friends look forward to every year,” said Ryan. “We know cancer touches everyone, and people are left feeling hopeless, so this is an easy and fun way to do something for a great cause.” 

Many members of the Merrimack College community, including the baseball team (Ryan is a pitcher and captain), and several friends and family members made up the team. “It was nice that so many of our friends wanted to do the race and some even brought their siblings. When we realized we were going to have such a huge team it really showed a sense of community with Merrimack and the baseball team.” 

About the 5th Annual Reid’s Race

More than 345 cyclists raised over $90,000 for the fight against cancers in adolescents and young adults during the 5th Annual Reid’s Ride Bike-a-thon on Sunday, July 19.   The cyclists, ages 8 to 80, pedaled 28 miles along the scenic Reid’s Ride route through six towns on the North Shore and Cape Ann, finishing in historic Gloucester. More than 200 volunteers and supporters joined the riders at Gloucester’s Stage Fort Park for a barbeque reception, refreshments, music, raffles, and awards. Proceeds from Reid’s Ride benefit the Reid Sacco Memorial Cancer Research Fund, which supports advocacy and clinical research in young adult cancers. Visit www. reidsaccofoundation.org or www.ReidsRide.org or call (781) 632-2025for more information.

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