Rhode Island cancer patients may have the opportunity to receive more comprehensive cancer treatment thanks to local bike riders. In 2008, Jacob and Dani Brier founded LIFEcycle, Inc., an organization to help support local cancer treatment while promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. On Aug. 11 at Bryant University, LIFEcycle will host its signature event, Ride ’Round Rhody (RRR), a bike-a-thon that gives cyclists the chance to fundraise for treatment, and ride up to 75 miles of northern Rhode Island.

Jacob Brier, a co-founder of LIFEcycle, said that a driving force of both the organization and the bike-a-thon is to maximize the impact that they make.

“We are treating locally, but impacting globally,” he said.

The ride has been their main event since 2009, but this is the first year that LIFEcycle has partnered specifically with Lifespan in order to achieve their goal of maximizing their impact. In the past, they have used the funds from the bike-a-thon to help support other cancer-related causes, such as the Women & Infants Cancer Center and the Miriam Hospital Cancer Patient Navigator Program, which provides patients with a medical professional to help them navigate the course of their treatment and provide emotional support.

According to Jacob, who is a former Lifespan employee, the partnership allows both LIFEcycle and Lifespan to benefit as much as possible.

“We have this partnership to maximize the impact,” he said. “Lifespan is the largest employer in the state and the largest care provider in the state. They treat the most cancer patients in Rhode Island and they have clinical trials, which affect the nation.”

With this partnership, Lifespan will receive 85 percent of the funds raised by the Ride ’Round Rhody event, which they can use to support a variety of cancer programs. The remaining 15 percent will go to LIFEcycle so that they may continue running their programs and services. LIFEcycle holds other fundraising events throughout the year, such as a dinner and a benefit concert.

When asked why he and his wife founded LIFEcycle, Jacob said that he wanted to make a difference at home.

“I’m born and raised in Rhode Island, the fourth generation to do so. We started this when we were engaged and this really is our home. We wanted to help here because of that,” he said.

Jacob has plenty of reason to want to help Rhode Island cancer patients, too. According to the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, 4 out of 10 Rhode Islanders will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime, but only half of them will beat it. In 2012, the American Cancer Society conducted another study showing that 6,310 Rhode Islanders were diagnosed with cancer, and 2,190 did not survive. LIFEcycle also states that Rhode Island women have the second highest incidence rate for new cancer diagnosis, and men have the sixth highest. That rate is approximately 10 percent worse than the national average.

The bike-a-thon has three different options for riders: A 25-mile course, a 50-mile course and a 75-mile course. According to LIFEcycle, the 25-mile course has been made approachable for novices, but the 50-mile and 75-mile options have been made more challenging. Upon registration, cyclists receive a personal online fundraising page, which they are allowed to customize as they wish. People may donate to the cyclist through this page using their credit card, or they may give cash or checks directly to the cyclist. Money may also be donated at the event itself. Online registration closes on July 31, and there is an $80 registration fee. If the deadline is not made, cyclists may register on the day of RRR for a $100 fee.

Cyclists who participate are required to fundraise $250, but are encouraged to raise more if possible. In 2012, Ride ’Round Rhody raised a total of $84,000 with only 175 cyclists. Those who raise over $1,000 will be recognized as members of the 2013 Peloton Pack. Members receive a commemorative armband and a discount on their RRR 2014 registration.

The top fundraisers from this group will be invited to an appreciation event in late August or early September. The top 15 fundraisers will receive a special gift from LIFEcycle. Those in the top 10 will receive the same gift, along with an RRR arm warmer. The top five fundraisers will be given both the gift and the arm warmer, and will also receive free registration for RRR 2014.

Those who wish to participate may also form teams to combine their fundraising efforts, but each cyclist must individually raise the required $250 to ride and incentives will be given based on individual fundraising.

The $80 registration fee is implemented to cover the costs of the event. The $250 fundraising minimum is put in place because "breaking even" doesn't cure cancer, and they want to encourage riders to take seriously the mission of advancing local cancer treatments. It is strongly encouraged that cyclists raise more than that so as much money as possible can go to cancer treatment programs around Rhode Island. If a rider has not made $250 by the date of RRR, they may give the remaining amount on the morning of the bike-a-thon.

All rider-raised funds support LIFEcycle's mission.

One cyclist who is glad to be fundraising for the event is Alex Mayer, from Cranston. This will be Mayer’s fourth Ride ’Round Rhody; his first was in 2010, but he is still happy to be helping Rhode Island in a way he enjoys.

“Doing a fundraising ride is exciting for everyone. It’s amazing and inspirational. It’s exciting for me to see how genuinely people want to support Ride ’Round Rhody. I’m excited to help so many people and I’m excited to see the event grow as much as it has. Biking is something I’m passionate about and to do it for such a great cause makes me feel really good,” he said.

Currently, Mayer has raised just under $2,000, and expects to break that before the bike-a-thon. This makes him a member of the Peloton Pack, which he has been a member of every year since he began the ride.

LIFEcycle’s Ride ’Round Rhody will take place on Sunday, Aug. 11 at Bryant University. Cyclists may begin check-in at 6 a.m. and must be in line by 6:45. Opening ceremonies begin at 7:15. The ride begins at 7:30. Along each route there are rest stops for riders; those on the 25-mile route have one stop, the 50-mile route has two, and the 75-mile route has four.

There has been rain during past Ride ’Round Rhody events, so if it only rains, the ride will go on. However, if the weather poses a significant risk to participants, the ride will be cancelled. There is no rain date. If cyclists or donors have any questions, they may go to www.lifecycleinc.org. There is also a RRR volunteer meeting this Sunday, July 28 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Lang’s Bowlarama at 225 Niantic Avenue in Cranston.