Ride for Life to Stop at SJC

April 30, 2014

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. MAY 1, 2014 The 2014 ALS Ride for Life, a fundraising event to support a cure for ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, will make its annual trek across Long Island, stopping at the John A. Danzi Athletic Center located on the Long Island Campus of St. Josephs College (SJC) in Patchogue on Wednesday, May 7 at approximately 9 a.m. 

Established in 1998, Ride for Life is a 150-mile wheelchair and scooter ride from Montauk to Manhattan to benefit those affected by ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. The group will make a stop at SJC before they continue their journey through Long Island to Manhattan, where they will make a dramatic processional through Central Park. This year, Ride for Life will also make a stop at the Colleges Brooklyn Campus on May 17.

"Chris Pendergast [founder, Ride for Life] and his team of volunteers have dedicated endless hours raising public awareness by providing our communities with the current information relative to ALS, said Gail Lamberta, Ph.D., associate academic dean on the Long Island Campus of SJC. "His remarkable drive and courage have ignited our students, faculty and staff, and their involvement in this years event.

The SJC Recreation Club will be in attendance to welcome the participants and provide them with breakfast. A check totaling all of their fundraising efforts from the academic year will also be presented to the riders. Longtime supporters of Ride for Life, this is the fourth year SJC has served as a pit stop for the event.

SJCs John A. Danzi Athletic Center is located at 155 W. Roe Blvd. in Patchogue, and is accessible via the South Service Road of Sunrise Highway, just east of Exit 52 (Waverly Ave.).