Area cyclists will have a chance to enjoy a ride together Saturday, Sept. 19, and contribute to the Cancer Support Center at the same time.
Pedal for Prostrate, an awareness and fundraising event for the center, will begin at 10 a.m., starting at Aurelio’s Pizza parking lot, 18162 Harwood Ave. in Homewood.
Riders will have two options, a Pedal the Parks route of about six miles or a 25-mile ride through Homewood and surrounding suburbs, according to organizer Keith Kebschull.
“All the money we raise goes directly to the Cancer Support Center here in Homewood to help support the prostate cancer programs at the center,” Kebschull said.
Kebschull is a prostrate cancer survivor. In 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 45. While he was devastated to hear the word “cancer” from his doctor, he feels fortunate to be cancer-free and without side-effects for several years now, according to a news release from ride organizers. The whole experience brought new perspective to his life, contributing to his desire to help others suffering from the disease.
The inspiration for Pedal for Prostate came after he completed a 100-mile ride from Homewood to Michigan in 2011. He had the idea of combining his passion for bike riding with a fundraiser to support others going through prostate cancer.
“After completing that awesome goal it made me realize I could do something to help other men and their families going though what I did by creating the Pedal for Prostate bike ride,” he said. “We raised just over $6,000 last year for the Cancer Support Center.”
In 2014, he organized the first Pedal for Prostate.
Registration the day of the ride will begin at 9:30 a.m. Cyclists can register in advance online at http://www.firstgiving.com/cancersupportcenter/pedal-for-prostate2015.
