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Cyclists from across the country will bike down the California coast to
raise funds and help those affected by arthritis
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 230 cyclists will kick off the seventh annual Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour on Saturday, September 29 in San Francisco. Participants, who will cycle down the California coastline over eight days, aim to raise more than $1.3 million this year for the Arthritis Foundation. The Amgen California Coast Classic will finish in Santa Monica at the Yahoo! Center on Saturday, October 6, after covering more than 520 miles.
"We are so proud that the Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour will be celebrating its seventh anniversary this year," said Dr. Robin Dore, chair of the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter, which organizes the Tour. "Since 2001, this event has raised more than $4 million, which continues to help the Arthritis Foundation support its research, education and advocacy for people living with arthritis. It has also been a great way for us to provide outreach to those suffering from arthritis, and their families."
The Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour is open to people of all ages and athletic ability. The goal of the event is to raise money to support arthritis research to find a cure, as well as to improve the quality of life for those who are affected by the more than 120 forms of arthritis. Arthritis is the country's leading cause of disability, afflicting nearly 46 million Americans, including more than 300,000 children. Arthritis-related diseases, such as lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and scleroderma, can be seriously debilitating and sometimes life-threatening.
Deb Kennedy, a resident of San Ramon in Contra Costa County who will be riding in the Amgen California Coast Classic for the first time in 2007, said, "I'm pleased to be riding in 2007 as it marks my 10th year of living with rheumatoid arthritis. Biking has played a huge role in recovering and maintaining my health. I'm happy that I can ride in support of the Arthritis Foundation; I want others living with arthritis to feel as lucky as I do."
The 2007 Amgen California Coast Classic Bike Tour will pursue the following route:
-- Saturday, September 29 - San Francisco to Santa Cruz
-- Sunday, September 30- Santa Cruz to Monterey
-- Monday, October 1 - Monterey to Big Sur
-- Tuesday, October 2 - Big Sur to San Simeon
-- Wednesday, October 3 - San Simeon to Pismo Beach
-- Thursday, October 4 - Pismo Beach to Solvang
-- Friday, October 5 - Solvang to Ventura
-- Saturday, October 6 - Ventura to Los Angeles (Santa Monica)
To learn more, please call (800) 954-CURE (2873) or visit http://www.californiacoastclassic.org.
Amgen, the title sponsor of the California Coast Classic, is the world's leading biotechnology company, and a leader in inflammation research. Amgen has brought important therapies like Enbrel and Kineret to rheumatoid arthritis patients.
About the Arthritis Foundation
Established in 1948, the Arthritis Foundation is the only national voluntary organization that works on behalf of people with all forms of arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation funds research to find cures and improve care, issues up-to-date information about arthritis and its treatment, offers exercise and self-help classes and sponsors support and education groups. For more information, please call (800) 954-CURE (2873) or visit http://www.arthritis.org.
SOURCE Arthritis Foundation Copyright©2007 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |