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Harley-Davidson Executives to Roll Out of Milwaukee for Historic 30th Anniversary of MDA Ride for Life
The legacy ride celebrates support for families affected by muscular dystrophy beyond $100 million
MILWAUKEE, May 2, 2017 – More than 120 Harley-Davidson corporate executives and employees, plus many area riders are set to kick off the 30th Annual MDA Ride for Life from the company’s headquarters on Juneau Avenue, Wednesday, May 3 at 8 a.m. Harley-Davidson Vice President and Managing Director U.S. Mike Kennedy will lead the ride via a police escort and will be joined by MDA National Ambassador Reagan Imhoff and Mike Dimov of Susquehanna Harley-Davidson. Dimov was the top Ride for Life fundraiser.
The group will ride to the Illinois/Wisconsin border to Uke’s Harley-Davidson in Kenosha where some will continue on the nearly 1000-mile journey to participate in the 30th Anniversary of the MDA Ride for Life, May 5 – 7 at the Reading Fairgrounds in Leesport, Penn.
The entire ride is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants at the weekend-long event and raise more than $1 million in donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association to save and improve the lives of kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases.
The initial Milwaukee group of riders will make stops through five states to pick up groups of riders participating from various Harley-Davidson dealerships. The group is expected to grow to hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts before reaching the event in Pennsylvania.
“We’re excited to kick off the 30th MDA Ride for Life from Harley-Davidson headquarters,” said Kennedy. “Our long journey to the event in Pennsylvania will gain momentum as we are joined by hundreds of riders along the way. These are men and women who year after year do what they can to support MDA’s mission to give kids and adults the chance to live unlimited. It’s my pleasure to ride alongside them in support of MDA families.”
The 2017 Ride for Life funds raised will also propel Harley-Davidson’s support for MDA and families affected to more than $100 million raised in 37 years of partnership.
Earlier this year, MDA announced the award of new research and development grants totaling more than $7 million. The investment reflects the long-standing support of Harley-Davidson and their dealer network for MDA families. More importantly, it demonstrates their direct impact in helping get an unprecedented three drugs approved in the last six months for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy.
“We’re calling this ride, ‘The Road to $100 million’,” said MDA Vice President, Retail Partnerships Scarlett Marchman. “Harley-Davidson and its dealers absolutely ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to this ride and our overall partnership. They continue to amaze and inspire us with their generosity and commitment to our mission.”
Since 1988, more than 50,000 riders have raised over $21 million for MDA through Ride for Life. The roots of this event go back to the commitment of the Eastern Harley-Davidson Dealers Association and their vision to create an experience like no other. Over the past 30 years, Ride for Life has brought together Harley-Davidson riders and H.O.G. Chapter members and MDA families living with neuromuscular diseases that severely weaken muscle strength and mobility.
For more information about MDA Ride for Life, or for details on packet pickup/drop- off, visit mdarideforlife.org or call the local MDA office at (610) 391-1977.
For up-to-date information about Ride for Life, follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/mdarideforlife) and Twitter (@MDARide4Life).
About MDA
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency 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. We use our collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases; caring for individuals from day one; and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America.
Learn how you can fund cures, find care or champion the cause at mda.org Learn more about MDA's mission by watching this video. Visit mda.org and follow us at facebook.com/MDAnational and @MDAnews.
Contacts
Roxan Triolo Olivas
Vice President Public Relations and Community Programs
520-954-1634
rtolivas@mdausa.org
Tracy Hausknecht
Ride for Life Event Coordinator
(610) 391-1977
thausknecht@mdausa.org
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