Mahopac Grad to Embark on Cross-Country Bike Ride for Good Cause
Every morning at 6 a.m., Lisa Jennings goes to the gym before her job and works out on an indoor spin bike. She does so five-days-a-week.
This summer, Jennings, a 2010 Mahopac High School graduate, will be riding every day outside and for a better cause than just staying in shape. The Fisher College graduate, who lives and works in Boston, is riding in the program “4K for Cancer” with the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults to raise money for young adults affected by cancer.
The trip is not only to meant to fundraise, but raise awareness and inspire communities along the way. As Jennings points out, cancer can be a threat to anyone at any age, which makes the ride so important.
“I hate to say this but you never know when it can happen to you,” Jennings said. “You’re out there and you’re doing this and it spreads the word. This is our one shot to go do something. Do it while you can, do it while you’re young.”
And Jennings knows first hand how terrible cancer can be. The disease has affected at least two of the closest people in her life.
Her aunt, who Jennings said was fairly young, died from cancer this past year. One of her best friends also had cancer a few years ago, but luckily was able to overcome it.
Every day, Jennings said, you’re supposed to dedicate your ride to someone. Two of the first people she thinks of will be her aunt and friend. People who donate to her page can also request that Jennings dedicate a ride to someone they know battling cancer.
“I think everyone’s been affected by it and it’s one of those things that in America, and unfortunately all over the world, people are affected,” she said.
The trip features all young adults between the ages of 18-25. Jennings is looking forward to the relationships she’ll forge during the trip with fellow riders. All the riders meet beforehand and get to know each other.
And once the ride begins, the riders don’t compete against each other, but stick together all 4,000 miles. Jennings will have to meet up with the group in Atlanta because the preschool class she teaches ends after the ride already starts.
“Everybody seems really cool,” she said. “It’ll be fun.”
So far Jennings has raised about $400, but must reach $4,500 by the time the ride starts in June. She plans on holding a fundraiser in Boston in a few weeks to raise money, where friends from Mahopac in the New England area will hopefully attend, she said.
Jennings also hopes to garner support back home and get donations in a community she’s engrained in. She’s been a lifeguard at a local lake for the past seven years and this will be the first time she’s not holding that job because of the bike ride.
“It’d be nice to get some local support,” she said. “And just get my story out there, too, and spread information about the Ulman foundation.”
This isn’t the first time Jennings has done community service. During her freshman year of high school she went to Africa to help build a house. After the bike ride she hopes to get involved with community service at children hospitals in the Boston area.
As for this trip, she wants to make at least a little dent in the fight against cancer.
Jennings said, “I’m excited for everyone I get to learn from on the road, and all the people I get to meet, and hopefully make somewhat of a difference.”
For residents interested in assisting Jennings, they can go to her web page at http://4kforcancer.org/profiles/lisa-jennings/ and donate on the page.
