Local residents in Obliteride ride to obliterate cancer

Obliteride is a fund-raiser for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, said to be one of the top cancer research institutes in the world.

Participants choose a bicycle route from 25, 50, 100, and 150 mile options, then create teams and collect pledges from family, friends, co-workers, and the general public.

The ride takes place August 8-10, 2014, with all rides either starting or ending at Magnuson Park in north Seattle.

Last year the routes went through Lake Forest Park and Kenmore, but this year they all go south and east.

The event begins with a party in Gas Works Park on Friday, August 8. Riders on the 150 mile route start out on Saturday morning and the rest leave Sunday August 10.

Two local riders share their stories.

Chris Varley from Shoreline has Multiple Myeloma and is riding the 25-mile Obliteride route along with his wife, Patti. They rode in the inaugural Obliteride last year just three months after he received a stem cell transplant. He still has some cancer cells and is hoping the treatment he receives at SCCA fueled by research at Fred Hutch will keep him alive.

He says "I ride because I can!" Read his story here.

Curtis Westberg of Lake Forest Park

Curtis Westberg of Lake Forest Park beat cancer 4 years ago and now wants to help others do the same by supporting Obliteride. He is riding the 50-mile route.

Curtis says "This cancer stuff is everywhere and anything we can do to contribute to putting an end to it is a good thing." Read his statement here.