Laurey Masterton establishes inaugural JOYride to benefit LIVESTRONG

Laurey Masterton, well-known Asheville business owner and cancer survivor, will kick off the inaugural JOYride at Carrier Park beginning at 1:00pm on May 19^th.  All proceeds will benefit LIVESTRONG at the YMCA.  Individuals and teams (both road riders and “in spirit” riders) are encouraged to participate.

Entry categories include:  Fun ride for children, Quarter Century ride (25 miles), and Half Century ride (50 miles).  The event is designed for bikers of all ages and abilities.  All routes will begin and end at Carrier Park and follow along the scenic French Broad River.

“Last year when I was in my initial round of treatments I was extremely fortunate to be in the first session of LIVESTRONG at the YMCA in Asheville,” said Masterton.  “The program made a huge difference for me, helping me get back on my feet and out of the dark place I had returned to.”  The local LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program operates under the YMCA of Western North Carolina and currently has close to 200 survivors on the waiting list.

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a 12-week program designed for adult cancer survivors who are de-conditioned or chronically fatigued from their treatment and/or disease.  It costs $515 to send each survivor through the program, which is offered at no cost to the participant.  “Many people know my motto: ‘Don’t Postpone Joy’ so I thought this would be a fun way to support the survivorship program that helped me so much,” said Masterton.  “My goal is to raise $51,500, which would provide funding for 100 survivors to participate in the program.”

One hundred percent of all funds raised by the JOYride will support LIVESTRONG at the YMCA in Western North Carolina.  “Many of us want to embrace the motto ‘Don’t Postpone Joy,’ because when you are around someone like Laurey who breathes and lives it, the joy spills over into your life, your relationships and your soul,” said Misty Guinn, Community Social Responsibility Director of the Asheville YMCA.  “She is such an inspiration to all of us!”

 

Entry fees:  Fun ride, designed for kids, $5.15 (includes LIVESTRONG wrist band); Quarter Century and Half Century ride, designed for road riders, $51.50 (includes JOYride t-shirt and wrist band); “In SPIRIT” ride, designed for individuals who choose not to physically ride, but would like to participate in raising funds to support the program.  All who raise $515 will receive a JOYride jersey.

For more information on the JOYride or LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, visit www.letJOYride.org or contact Misty Guinn or Rachel Dudasik at 828 210 9622, mguinn@ymcawnc.org, or rdudasik@ymcawnc.org.