History of Pennsylvania
Perimeter Ride Against Cancer
The PPRAC was organized in 1983 by Bob Freed, an Allentown schoolteacher, in response to the cancer deaths of two family members and a friend. The original PPRAC, a ten-day journey covering 1,000 miles around the border of Pennsylvania - from which the "Perimter Ride" takes its name - was completed by 22 riders and raised much-needed funds for the American Cancer Society.
Since then, subsequent six-day rides have been completed every other year. Each ride covered approximately 500 miles by 25 to 60 riders who not only raised funds for the American Cancer Society but also donated to Dream Come True, a support organization for terminally and seriously ill children. To date, the PPRAC has raised almost $600,000 to help fight cancer in the Lehigh Valley Community.
Beneficiaries
- 85% of monies raised are donated to the Lehigh Valley Unit of the American Cancer Society.
- 15% of monies raised are donated to Dream Come True (support for seriously ill children).
History of Dollars Raised
Ride |
Description | Mileage |
Riders |
$ Raised |
I |
The Original | 1,000 |
22 |
$20,000 |
II |
Central PA Loop | 500 |
23 |
$25,000 |
III |
NJ Shore Loop | 500 |
33 |
$35,000 |
IV |
Erie to Allentown | 500
|
28
|
$25,000
|
V |
Ottawa, Canada to Allentown, PA | 500 |
29 |
$55,000 |
VI |
Niagara Falls to Palmerton, PA | 500 |
30 |
$60,917 |
VII |
Ashtabula, Ohio to Palmerton, PA | 500 |
39 |
$62,000 |
VIII |
St. Albans, Vermont to Palmerton, PA | 500 |
42 |
$71,850 |
IX |
Montreal, Canada to Palmerton, PA | 500 |
40 |
$71,258 |
X |
Littleton, New Hampshire to Palmerton, PA | 500 |
42 |
$72,858 |
XI |
Oswego, NY to Palmerton, PA | 500 |
45 |
$103,320 |
XII |
Waynesboro, VA to Palmerton, PA | 580 |
47 |
$136,500 |
| XIII | Erie, PA to Palmerton, PA | 540 | 56 | $150,000 |
2009 Goals
- Individual Rider Minimum = $1,000.
- PPRAC XIV goal = $150,000.
Articles about PPRAC
Accomplishments of PPRAC
- Raised over $896,000 in the fight against cancer.
- Raised money to grant terminally ill children "wishes" through the Dream Come True Organization.
- Received March of Dimes' Human Spirit Award.
- Received Dream Come True "Dream Maker" Award.
- Received statewide award from American Cancer Society.
- Recognized by the City of Allentown through a PPRAC Day proclamation.
- Recognized by the Pennsylvania State Senate through a proclamation.
- Raised level of cancer awareness among families and contributors of riders, and through the various services, public programs and media exposure along PPRAC routes.
- Purchased van
for use by Lehigh Valley Unit of the American Cancer Society.
- Fund-raisers unveil their gift for Cancer Society, Morning Call, 8/4/99**
- Riders to Pedal for a New American Cancer Society Van, Letter from the American Cancer Society
- Provided "Dreams" for numerous children through Dream Come True.
Website maintained by Jodi Lichtenwalner
