LB bike tour raises $126,000 for Miller Children’s Hospital

A total of 1,700 cyclists of all skill levels raised $126,000 at the 2011 Tour of Long Beach on Saturday, May 14. The proceeds, individual and team fundraising efforts, will all go to support the patients and families of Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach.  
“It’s incredible how much the Tour of Long Beach grew in its second year,” said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster. “I’m delighted to see so many people joining this great event for a great cause.”
 A check presentation to Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach occurred prior to the start of the Tour of Long Beach. Foster, Tony Cruz (US Olympian, six-year team mate of Lance Armstrong and City of Long Beach bicycle ambassador), and Ben Alvarado of Wells Fargo presented the oversized check to Dr. Amanda Termhulen, medical director of the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach. 
“Thank you to the patients, families, riders, volunteers, and the community for supporting the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center at Miller Children’s Hospital.  The diagnosis of cancer or a serious blood disease strikes children and teenagers too often and very unexpectedly,” Termhulen said. “The diagnosis not only affects the child, but profoundly impacts the family and the community. Donations from the Tour of Long Beach support new, innovative treatments for our patients, crucial services for their families, and clinical research. Future generations of children and families will continue to benefit from your support and dedication.”
The 31-mile course began in Downtown Long Beach at the Marina Green, where riders experienced Pacific Ocean views, inland bays and waterways, the downtown waterfront, scenic parks, and dozens of unique neighborhoods. There was also an option to ride the Tour of Long Beach loop twice for 62 miles— a metric century. In addition, the Tour of Long Beach Family Ride took riders of all ages on a four-mile loop along the Long Beach waterfront.
 Long Beach was named by Bicycle Magazine as one of America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities. For more information on Long Beach’s plan to become one of the most bike friendly urban cities, visit bikelongbeach.org.