Fred Hutch’s Obliteride rolls through Western Washington

SEATTLE —Aug. 1, 2017 — Nearly 2,000 Obliteride riders will spin through dozens of Puget Sound communities on August 12 and 13, raising funds to help Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center obliterate cancer.

Fred Hutch’s Obliteride is celebrating its 5^th anniversary this year, and it will be larger than ever. The ride to cure cancer faster has quickly become one of the top ten fundraisers in Puget Sound. This year, organizers expect to blow past the $11 million fundraising mark and bring in more new community supporters than ever before.

“Obliteride combines the deep passion of our supporters with the drive and urgency of Fred Hutch research in a powerful and meaningful way,” said Kelly O’Brien, Fred Hutch’s vice president for Philanthropy. “It’s not too late sign up to ride, volunteer or donate to this year’s event.”

Obliteride kicks off on Friday, Aug. 11, with a party at Seattle’s Gas Works Park. The rides range from 25 to 150 miles, so everyone can participate. They start at Fred Hutch’s Seattle campus and wind through the Puget Sound region.

“We’re excited to have so many new riders this year, and we’re encouraging people to come out and cheer them on,” said Andrea Gomes Morrison, director of Obliteride. “People in many communities we pass through make signs with loved ones’ names or encouraging words for the riders. It’s a fun way for people to get involved, and it means so much to our riders.”

Maps of the routes are on Obliteride’s website.

People can also sign up to ride or volunteer. Online registration closes at midnight on Friday, August 4. Onsite registration will be available until 30 minutes before the start of each route.

One-hundred percent of every rider-raised dollar goes to cancer research at Fred Hutch.

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