BOSTON (WHDH) - The first ever Ride to Cure Kids took place in-person Saturday, raising money in Boston for research of illnesses affecting children.
Hosted by Boston Children’s Hospital at the TRACK at New Balance in Brighton, the event invited riders over 18 and of all experience levels to high-energy sessions led by indoor cycling instructors. The goal is to raise money to fund breakthrough research happening at the hospital, which has led to cures for children around the world.
“There is no one in this world like Adrian,” Sydney Daniels, Adrian’s aunt and a participant in the event, said of her nephew, who is receiving treatment at BCH. “He is so charismatic he’s so personable, and he’s so strong.”
Adrian was diagnosed with Type 2 SMA, or Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMA is a rare genetic disorder affecting the nerve cells controlling the voluntary muscles, making it hard for a child to move, eat, and breathe.
“The things he has to endure, and for a little kid, and the way he handles it with such grace and strength,” she said.
She had teared up as Adrian’s story played on the big screen during the event.
“There is never a hurdle that he can’t jump, and he does it with such grace,” Daniels said. “He for me, is, I look up to him.”
This is the first year of the event, which taps into Boston’s cycling scene by having some of New England’s top spin class instructors host 45-minute sessions through the morning.
“Most importantly it’s benefiting the research accelerator fund here,” Alyssa Caruso, a participant in the event said. “Allowing researchers to find these life-saving answers for kids not just locally but around the world.
Joining alongside families and friends were some of the researchers themselves.
“Events like this provide, help bridge the funding gap between cures and research that we do,” Gus Cervini, Senior Vice President of Research Administration at BCH, said. “It’s critical that we keep investing in science and in research to help support some really sick kids.”
Adrians family said they have already started seeing research make a difference in his life.
“When Adrian was first diagnosed, there wasn’t a shot or a pill or a treatment that could completely cure him,” Daniels said. “As time went on working with Children’s Hospital, he’s now in clinical trials, he’s building strength, he’s getting stronger. So things went from grim to optimistic.”
So far, the event has raised $70,000 dollars toward a goal of $100,000 by Dec. 1. Anyone interested in supporting or donating to the cause can do so on the event website.
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