HEALTH-FITNESS

Firefighters and MDA get ready for Trans-NH Bike Ride

Cyclists will travel from Pittsburg to Portsmouth

Staff Writer
Fosters Daily Democrat
This year’s ride is dedicated to Rick DiRocco who is 2 1/2 years old and was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

On June 22-24, 90 cyclists will participate in a three-day ride from Pittsburg, NH to Portsmouth, NH in the 31st Annual Firefighter Trans-NH Bike Ride to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association and raise money to support the families served by MDA in New Hampshire.

 The Trans-NH bike ride has a rich history that began in 1988, it was started by a group of Salem NH (Local 2892) Firefighters two of whom are still heavily involved, retired Lt. Ron Gale and retired Captain Kevin Campbell.

MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them —  from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. Together with our supporters, we’re helping kids and adults live longer and grow stronger. MDA takes a big-picture perspective across neuromuscular diseases to uncover breakthroughs that will accelerate treatments and cures. The power in this research approach is that knowledge and information from one disease can often yield progress in others to speed urgently needed answers for families.

Funds raised through 2018 Trans-NH Bike Ride support MDA’s life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and clinics, including the MDA Clinic at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Manchester and Lebanon. They also make MDA summer camp possible so kids with muscle disease can enjoy “the best week of the year” at Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks, CT and nearly 80 other locations nationwide.

This year’s ride is dedicated to Rick DiRocco who is 2 1/2 years old and was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at 15 months old.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.