Ride for Roswell raises record $2.6M

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Almost everyone knows someone whose life was touched by cancer. Saturday, thousands of bikers raised a record $2.6 million to fight the disease.

Jack McMahon said, "We're riding in honor of my sister, who had ovarian cancer and passed away last year."

Steve Harvey said, "I'm riding on Jen and Ellie's entourage."

More than 7,000 cyclists participated in the 15th annual Ride For Roswell. Some rode in memory of a loved one while others rode in support of someone with cancer. Regardless of the reason, these cyclists, young and old, came out in unison to raise money in support of research and patient care programs at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Meghan Redenback is a cancer survivor and is riding for Roswell with her family and friends. She is now in remission after battling ovarian cancer.

Redenback said, "It's just so many people that are just here for one thing. It's amazing, it's really overwhelming."

While there are many people who have great success stories like Redenback and Lexie, many other teams are riding in memory of those who succumbed to this devastating disease. Lisa Healey is riding for her younger brother.

"He really wanted to be an astronaut. He was really smart, he was really athletic, he liked sports," said Healey.

Healey described her brother Russel as a selfless person who was always interested in helping others. Now she is riding in his memory after he passed away from Leukemia 12 years ago.

This year Grace raised $700 for Roswell and it is the collaborative efforts that make this event so successful. $2.3 million was raised last year and they went beyond that this year. But at the end of the day, it's these generous people, coming together in unison to raise money, that will hopefully one day bring us to a cure.