BMX fans race to help fund cancer research.Byline: Mark Baker The Register-Guard It began 24 years ago on BMX BMX abbr. bicycle motocross BMX Noun 1. bicycle motocross: stunt riding over an obstacle course on a bicycle 2. tracks across the nation - a fight, a cause, a "Race for Life." And it will happen again in Eugene a week from Sunday. But not without you. "We need some bodies to come and watch them race and make donations," said Dani Renes, one of the track operators at the Oasis BMX Track at the Lane County Fairgrounds n. pl. 1. same as fairground. . "We're doing this because it's a good thing for the kids to be involved with - doing things for other people by doing something they love." This will be the third straight year operators of the Oasis BMX Track have participated in the "Race for Life," a fund-raiser for the White Plains, N.Y.-based Leukemia leukemia (l  kē`mēə), cancerous disorder of the blood-forming tissues (bone marrow, lymphatics, liver, spleen) characterized by excessive production of immature or mature & Lymphoma Society. Races
are sponsored by the American Bicycle Association The American Bicycle Association (ABA) is a United States-based Bicycle Motocross (BMX) sports governing body in Gilbert, Arizona created by Merl Mennenga and Gene Roden in 1977. It is the largest sanctioning body in the United States concerning BMX. and are held at tracks
all over America between January and May.
In 1981 the ABA learned that 12-year-old Michigan BMX racer Todd Kingsbury had leukemia - eventually terminal - and the first the "Race for Life" was organized. The money goes to fund blood-cancer research, education and patient services. The goal is to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease Hodgkin's disease, a type of cancer of the lymphatic system. First identified in 1832 in England by Thomas Hodgkin, it is a type of malignant lymphoma. Incidence peaks in young adults and the elderly. and myeloma myeloma /my·elo·ma/ (mi?e-lo´mah) a tumor composed of cells of the type normally found in the bone marrow. giant cell myeloma see under tumor (1). , all blood cancers. Since 1949, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has invested more than $360 million into blood-cancer research, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. its Web site. Renes hopes to raise at least $1,000 at the Eugene race on Jan. 16, from race entrants and spectators willing to donate. Participants need only bring a bike and helmet and a $10 entry fee, half of which will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, she said. The track is sanctioned by the ABA so all racers will be insured, Renes said. There is no cost to watch, but donations are encouraged, Renes said. There will also be a special "media" race before the main race The track will open at 9 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, and those who pay the entry fee will have a couple of hours to practice. There will be three qualifying rounds before the final. One of the great things about BMX racing  It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles. ()BMX racing is a type of off-road bicycle racing. is that it brings families together, said Renes, whose son Jeff races at the track. "It is so great to see kids grow," she said. "Just watching the joy on the kids' faces as they cross the finish line, whether they're first or last." RACE FOR LIFE What: BMX bike-race fund-raising event for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Jan. 16. Main race begins at noon with a media race just before Where: BMX track in livestock building at Lane County Fairgrounds Cost: Entry fee for race is $10, half of which goes as a donation to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Admission for spectators is free but donations are encouraged |
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