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Muscular Dystrophy Association & IAFF Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire Announce 37th Annual Trans-New Hampshire Bike Ride June 21-23
MDA family member, Lilly who lives with a neuromuscular disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth will be honored at the event.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire – April 30, 2024, Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) today announced the 37th Annual Trans-New Hampshire Bike Ride (TNHBR) to be held on Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23. Full itinerary for the route here. Registration for the TNHBR is now open here, and participants are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot. The registration fee includes meals, overnight accommodation, and support throughout the ride.
The fully supported three-day bicycle ride through New Hampshire benefits MDA's mission to accelerate research, advance care, and advocate to empower families living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. Each year this ride is dedicated to a person living with neuromuscular disease. This year's honoree is MDA family member, Lilly, diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1a at 4 years old. Now a teenager, her favorite subjects in school are science, history, and choir. She has also lent her voice to many cartoons, including “Anna and Friends” voicing Anna. She also loves participating in pageants and has been competing in them since she was 5.
“I’m honored to be part of this event to continue sharing my story and the challenges I’ve faced -- and overcome. It allows me to show other kids living with muscle disease that they are just as gifted and talented as everyone else,” said Lilly. While she has faced barriers living with CMT, particularly in school as her disease has progressed, she’s learned to advocate for accommodations when needed so she can succeed. “I always try remember how capable I am!”
The funds go towards multidisciplinary care for people living with neuromuscular disease at over 150 MDA Care Center Network locations and advancing research worldwide. In New Hampshire, MDA Care Centers are located at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Manchester. MDA serves 8,600 people living with neuromuscular disease throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
“Since 2015, there have been more than 20 new FDA approved treatments for different types of neuromuscular diseases and there are many more on the horizon. We would not be able to fund our mission for the families we serve without the partnership and dedication of people like Michael Roberts and the IAFF Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire,” said Tracy Denton, Senior Vice President, Development Partnerships, MDA.
"The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire (PFFNH) are thrilled to host this event with MDA once again,” said Michael Roberts, PFFNH MDA Liaison, TNHBR Co-organizer and active/retired Londonderry, NH Local 3160 Member. “We appreciate all the riders who come out to make this event a success. Thanks to them, we have raised more than $3 million to help save lives, discover new treatments for neuromuscular diseases, and care for MDA families.”
Snapshot of the Journey of the 37th Annual Trans-NH Bike Ride
- Day 1 – Ride begins at Beecher Falls Fire Station to Littleton Fire for a dinner and Rider Recognition celebration.
- Day 2 – Littleton Fire escort along the Androscoggan River to the Fireside Inn for lunch and dinner hosted by Lebanon and Hanover Fire volunteers. 2024 Dedicatee Lilly will speak followed by recognition of top fund raisers.
- Day 3 – W Lebanon to Concord with Concord Fire escort the final few miles to an end of ride celebration cookout hosted by Concord Fire.
The 2024 MDA IAFF Trans-New Hampshire Bike Ride community is grateful to all local sponsors for their support.
About the Trans-New Hampshire Bike Ride
The Trans-NH Bike Ride is a fully supported 1, 2, or 3-day exploration of New Hampshire roads, scenery, and fire stations. Its mission is to raise funds and awareness for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. Every June, cyclists, firefighters, support volunteers, and members of the Muscular Dystrophy Association community come together to traverse New Hampshire – rain or shine – to support a shared vision: accelerate research, advance care, and advocate for the support of MDA families. We fundraise, connect with our community, recognize the hardships of these diseases, and ride to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s mission to empower the people they serve to live longer, more independent lives. All proceeds from the ride go directly to the Muscular Dystrophy Association to fund research, summer camps, and other services for those affected by muscular dystrophy. To date, the Trans-NH Bike Ride has contributed more than $3 million to MDA’s mission. Learn more about the different types of muscular dystrophy including Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD), and others.
About Muscular Dystrophy Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
