On Saturday, April 26 many Atlanta residents turned out to support Ovarian Cycle’s, annual Ride to Change the Future. The energy was electrifying as riders pedal toward the organization’s most successful year. This mark the fifth year riders have cycled in memory of Debbie Flamm, the inspiration for Ovarian Cycle, and their love ones.

Participants completed a six hour, indoor bike ride to raise funds for ovarian cancer research. Proceeds are donated to Atlanta-based Ovarian Cancer Institute (OCI), and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Dr. Benedict Benigno, founder of OCI, was on hand to update riders on the latest research an early detection test.

Executive Director Anne Ehlers explains “we exceeded our goal of raising $200,000. The support we received from metro Atlanta has been overwhelming.”

Ovarian Cycle began its national expansion in 2008 with riders in Birmingham, Alabama and Broomfield, Colorado. “Working with these other communities help strengthen our mission to inspire people to fitness while raising funds and awareness for this important research,” says Ehlers. To date, Ovarian Cycle has donated more than 365,000 to ovarian cancer research.

Founder Bethany Diamond, says “we’re already looking forward to 2009. Our tremendous growth make each year more exciting than the last.”

Participating Atlanta-area health clubs included: Athletic Club Northeast, Athletic Training Services, Full Cycle Fitness, The Gym at Buckhead, Marcus JCC of Atlanta, Midtown Athletic Club at Windy Hill and Urban Body Fitness.

The 2008 Sponsors for the Ride to Change the Future included: All the Hits Q100, SCHWINN Fitness, Menopause the Musical, and Sunrise Moving and Storage.

An annual event, Ovarian Cycle Inc. was founded in 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia, by local fitness expert Bethany Diamond. The organization’s mission is to inspire people to fitness while raising awareness to support research leading to a reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. Ovarian Cycle is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. For more information please visit www.ovariancycle.org.