Lauri Strauss Foundation organizes bike tour around Port Washington

The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation hosted their annual baywalk and bike tour on Sunday, May 19.  Countless families congregated at the Port Washington Train Station, where the event started to take part in the charitable walk.  All of the money raised will be used to help research a cure for leukemia and other allied cancers, including lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, and myeloma.

Hundreds of riders and walkers came together to show support for those who have been affected by these diseases and to raise money for this important cause.  Participants had the choice of going on a bike tour of Port Washington or walking down Main Street, along the bay and back.  The event involved leisurely-paced rides and walks around town.  While it was not a race, everyone had a fun and exciting time visiting beautiful spots all around the Port community.

“Every year the bikers ride past my house.  It’s so inspiring that so many people are supporting this important cause,” said Port resident Karen Bernstein.

Bikers had multiple choices of bike routes depending on their experience levels.  It was recommended that families with small children partake in the 3.3 mile tour, which started at the train station, passed Pine Street Park, and then proceeded through residential neighborhoods before returning back to Main Street.

For bikers who wanted to an intermediate challenge, there was a 14-mile bike ride starting at Main Street and passing various locations around Port Washington, including the Sands Point Preserve and Shore Road.  Finally, for those who really wanted to challenge themselves, there was a 21-mile tour that went all around town.  Luckily for the bikers, none of the tours featured steep inclines.

Following the bike tour and the walk, participants were encouraged to come to a party where food and beverages were served that were generously donated by sponsors of the event.  Everyone who registered was automatically entered into a raffle contest offering multiple prizes.  T-shirts were also given out to all participants.  In addition, there was a bone marrow drive on site.

As of Friday, May 17, Team Morgan was number one on the team leaderboard with donations of $2,370, and Matthew Wilkoff placed first on the individual leaderboard with a donation of $72.

The event was sponsored by many Port businesses, including Bluetique, Port Washington Animal Hospital, and Delux Transportation Services.

The Lauri Strauss Leukemia Foundation was created in 1989 in honor of a young woman who tragically died of leukemia at age 24.  Lauri was a Schreiber graduate, and she died just seven months after her diagnosis.  Her friends and family created the foundation in the hopes of letting her energy live on.  Their goal is to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin disease, multiple myeloma, and other allied cancers.

“The LSLF bike tour is a great event for a great cause,” said senior Molly Solomon.  “Besides biking there are raffles and food, and it is a really fun time.”