Why I Ride in the Coast to the Cure NF Bike Ride by Peter Gentile

Why I Ride

By: Peter Gentile, Coast Rider and Committee Member and Beverly Resident

My name is Peter Gentile and when asked why I ride the Coast to the Cure NF Bike Ride I remember the day almost 30 years ago when my niece and nephew were first diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF). My wife and I started volunteering for Neurofibromatosis Northeast as a way to learn more about NF and bring awareness to this disease.

Over the years we have volunteered at golf tournaments, walks and pancake breakfasts, but Coast to the Cure is one of our favorites, because it started with a handful of people and grew into this amazing community of people who are passionate about biking and finding a cure for NF. During the last three decades so much has been discovered about NF, largely due to the research funds raised by Neurofibromatosis Northeast.

During those years my niece and nephew grew from children to adults. They faced many of the typical challenges that can be traced to this genetic disorder. Café-au-lait spots, learning disabilities, digestive issues, a bone transplant and numerous tumors were part of everyday life. A little more than six years ago my niece started having dizzy spells. When she was just 25 years old, she was diagnosed with brain cancer (Glioblastoma) caused by the NF. After three and half years of battling cancer we lost our funny, spunky girl to NF. My nephew still struggles daily with symptoms caused by NF.

I ride with my son Daniel to continue to raise funds for research into treatments for tumors and NF as well as raising awareness for NF. Please join me and many other riders at the Coast to the Cure NF Bike Ride on September 14th!

Event Description:
The 9th Annual Coast to the Cure NF Bike Ride starts and finishes at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, MA. To accommodate all level of riders, the Coast to the Cure Road Course offers four routes of varying lengths: 24, 40, 66 and 100 miles.

Proceeds from the bike ride benefit neurofibromatosis (NF). NF involves the uncontrolled growth of tumors along the nervous system and is a highly variable and progressive disorder. NF is not rare, it affects three times as many people as Cystic Fibrosis and Muscular Dystrophy combined. While not all NF patients suffer from the most severe symptoms, all NF patients and their families live with the uncertainty of not knowing whether they will be seriously affected one day.

Funds raised will make it possible for Neurofibromatosis Northeast to invest in scientific research at the Center for Human Genetic Research at Massachusetts General Hospital and allow the organization to help the many families dealing with neurofibromatosis by providing information and support.

For more information and to register for the bike ride please visit:

https://nfnortheast.org/events/event/coast-cure-bike-ride-2019/

To donate to Peter's ride, please visit his fundraising page:

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/petergentile/Coast-to-the-Cure-NF-Bike-Ride-2019