MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – In June 2008, 17-year-old Ashley Gaines lost her fight to Diffuse Large B Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Shortly after, the Ashley G. Charitable Foundation was established with the goal of educating the public about symptoms, treatment and care of children and teens with lymphoma, as well as fund research for treatment and to assist patients.
The “Ashley G. Ride” is an annual bike ride that helps raise funds and awareness. This will be the fifth year for the event. The previous four rides include: 2011 – Waco, Texas to Surfside Beach, South Carolina (1265 Miles), 2012 – Huntington Beach, California. to Surfside Beach, South Carolina (2650 Miles), 2014 – New York City to Surfside Beach (800 Miles in 8 days) and last year’s ride in 2015 saw 3 riders trek from Barnwell, SC to Surfside Beach, SC (205 Miles). The Ashley G. Ride has traveled nearly 5,000 miles and crossed 16 States.
This year’s ride will begin on July 21 from Clemson University, continue on through Greenwood, Orangeburg, Manning and finally ending July 24 in Surfside Beach. There are 16 riders, each averaging 75 miles per day with a grand total of over 300 miles in 4 days. The 16 riders forming this years event are: James Brown, (Ashley’s tennis coach), Tom Tracy, Mark Jones, Tim O’Neill, Bernie Kulcsar, Randy Koch, Tony Howard, Vicki Levi, Teresa Johnson, Wendi Ellenburg, Brian Cotton, Rick Gift, Dave Pursley, Craig Ridgeway, Browder McGill and Pam McManus.
To learn more about the foundation or to donate, go to: http://ashleygfoundation.com/ride.php
