MARSHALL - Twenty-seven young bicycle riders bunked at the Marshall Area YMCA on Wednesday on their way to Seattle.
The riders are on a 4,000-mile trip from Baltimore to raise money and awareness for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
According to the group's spokesman Spenser Bonar, this group is one of three on cross-country rides to Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland. This is the 11th bike ride since 2001 and has 88 riders total.
"Each rider raised $4,500 before they left," Bonar said. "Altogether that's almost a half-million dollars this year. We raise money alone the way and have personal contact with cancer communities across the nation."
Many of the riders have had personal experience with cancer victims.
"I'm riding for two of my close friends, Zach and Keeley," said rider Raymond Kim. "Both were diagnosed with brain cancer in middle school. Keeley fought through middle school and we thought she was cancer free, but then it came back. We lost her two-and-a-half months ago."
Kim said Zach's cancer followed a similar path, but he is still fighting. Two other friends are riding for Zach and Keeley.
"I actually found out about this through Raymond, and I'm riding for Keeley and Zach," said Ella Lee. "We all went to the same high school."
Kim and Lee said Zach is following their progress back home.
"Things are looking up for him," Kim said. "If Zach doesn't give up, I won't."