Ride Across Maryland Raises Millions For Breast Cancer Research

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's an amazing amount of money, more than two million dollars. That's how much Dick Gelfman's Ride Across Maryland has given away to charities in the fight against breast cancer. The 15th annual ride is just two weeks away.

Ron Matz reports this year, Gelfman has expanded his fundraising efforts.

All roads lead to Ocean City. Hundreds of motorcycle riders are gearing up for Dick Gelfman's annual Ride Across Maryland. The ride has been a huge success, raising money to fight breast cancer.

"We've given away well over two and a half million dollars. It has gone to a lot of terrific organizations, places that do a lot of things for families or individuals with cancer," Gelfman said. "We're going to Ocean City again. It's a terrific weekend. Folks bring their families down; it's sort of a mini-vacation. We have a great state. They get to tour it on motorcycles and then end up in Ocean City for a weekend of food and fun with great bikes and nice people."

Now in its 15th year, Dick Gelfman's Ride Across Maryland has merged with the Ulman Cancer Fund. Ulman helped Christina Miller, the mother of three young children, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy.

"My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 39 so it was on my mind. I was in the shower and reached up and felt something under my arm; I couldn't believe it. It turns out I had stage three breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy. I had a year and a half of infusion, radiation and reconstructive surgery---all the while, I had three little children under the age of five," she said. "It was when treatment stopped, I felt kind of uncertain about my future and that's when Ulman came into my life. The rest is history. Ulman has just supported me. I have learned how to survive cancer with their help."

"It's an amazing opportunity for our organization to bring the Gelfman ride into our community. We'll help more people and reach more people," said Brok Yetso, Ulman Cancer Fund CEO. "It's been amazing to see what Dick and his family have done in the community by starting the Ride Across Maryland. We're always looking for opportunities to reach into the community. We're not in the motorcycle community but they hate cancer and they're passionate about doing something about it."

An opportunity to help others in Maryland, thanks to Dick Gelfman and hundreds of bikers and their big hearts.

"Bikers are just incredibly generous. They don't just love riding their bikes; they love raising money for good causes," Gelfman said. "Lord knows everybody has been touched by some form of cancer---someone in the family, some loved one, some relative somewhere has been touched by it so bikers are out there raising money, trying to make this nasty thing go away."

"It's very exciting. I'm happy to be a part of this. I'm excited to be in Ocean City when everybody arrives and help celebrate all this fundraising," Miller said.

WJZ is a proud sponsor of Dick Gelfman's Ride Across Maryland. For more information, click here.