Western Maryland Kidney Ride Returning to Great Allegheny Passage, Sept. 16

CUMBERLAND, Md. –“Pedal the metal” to help our local kidney community and the other 30 million Americans affected by kidney disease. Join the National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland and Delaware (NKF-MD-DE), Saturday, Sept. 16, for the return of the Western Maryland Kidney Ride along the Great Allegheny Passage.
With John Davis, DDS (two-time kidney transplant patient) and Susan Scarpelli (retired kidney dietitian and long-time advocate for people with kidney disease) as honorary chairs, this signature fundraiser travels through the area that National Geographic recognized among its "Best Fall Trips of 2017."

After a welcome and opening remarks by Cumberland City Councilman Eugene Frazier, the Ride kicks off at Cumberland’s historicWestern Maryland Railroad Station on Canal Street, traverses the picturesque mountain trail to the Savage Tunnel and returns to the train station in Cumberland for an “after party.”

“I encourage everyone in and around Cumberland to come out and support our community at the Western Maryland Kidney Ride,” Frazier said. “It’s a worthy event and we should all want to participate.”
Riders of all levels can choose from the following routes – each with rest stops stocked with refreshments, cold drinks and encouraging volunteers:

• Bike 44 miles round trip to the Savage Tunnel near the Mason-Dixon Line.
• Bike 32 miles round trip from Cumberland to Frostburg and back on the packed crushed limestone surface.
• Ride 16 miles on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad to Frostburg before pedaling downhill back to Cumberland.

On-site check-in starts at 9 a.m., the Ride starts at 10 a.m., thetraindeparts at 11 a.m. and the after party begins at 2 p.m.
Participants can enjoy chicken sandwiches and nuggets, wraps, side dishes, treats and soft drinks provided by Don Ward of Chick-fil-A, along with pepperoni rolls provided by Dave Caporale of Caporale’s Bakery and donuts provided by M & M’s Bakery.

The Kidney Kids Zone will offer Hula Hooping with the Mountain Maryland Hoopers, as well as face painting, playground activities, games, coloring, jump rope and more with the local Boy Scouts of America, 4H Club and Rainbow Girls.

Participants also can interact with a variety of exhibitors such as the Allegheny County Animal Shelter, Boy Scouts, Living Legacy/Donate Life and Magic 100.5 FM with Amanda Mangan.

Adding to the fun will be musical performances by Greg Larry and Gary Price of Night Traveler with Ally Norris, Vicki & Emma Silverfeather, Adam Swayne and special finale with The Kidney Stones. Also taking the stage will be International Recording Artist Philadelphia Freeway, the Ride’s celebrity ambassador. Best known for being signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, Freeway will share his struggle with kidney disease and how it affects his music career.

Registration is free for all cyclists and includes access to the after party – thanks to additional sponsors including the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Canal Place, Scarpelli Family, Ramada of Cumberland, Urology Associates, Walnut Ridge Farm, Cumberland Trail Connection, Cycles and Things, CBIZ, Inc., Larry Brock of GAP Self Storage, Dawn Wolford of Dawn’s Family Practice, The Queen City Creamery & Deli, Western Maryland Wheelmen and Get Out & Play! Outfitters. A $50 fee is required for those taking the train. Donations are also appreciated.

All participants who raise a minimum amount of $100 will receive a Kidney Ride T-shirt. Additional incentives for reaching higher donation levels are as follows:

• $250- $499 : Under Armour Backpack
• $500 - $999: Kidney Ride Bike Vest
• $1,000 - $1,999: Nikon Digital Camera
• $2,000 - $3,499 : GoPro
• $3,500 - $4,999: iPad Mini with Wi-Fi
• $5,000+: iPad with Wi-Fi

Event proceeds will support NKF-MD’s Patient Emergency Assistance program, which offers financial assistance to transplant recipients and chronic kidney disease and dialysis patients to meet critical needs such as food, utilities, rent, medication and transportation to dialysis and other medical appointments.

“All too often, our patients must make tough decisions, such as whether to pay for their life-saving medication or put food on the table for themselves and their family. No one should have to make such decisions,” said Pattie Dash, executive director of the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland and Delaware. “By joining us for the Kidney Ride, the community can experience a beautiful day in the mountains, while making a real difference in our patients’ lives.”
For more information about the 2017 Western Maryland Kidney Ride or to register or support a Ride participant, visit http://bit.ly/2017WMBikeRide.

About NKF-MD-DE

The National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland and Delaware, as well as portions of Virginia and West Virginia is the area’s only voluntary health agency dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases, and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. For more information, visit www.kidneymd.org.