Fit Philanthropy: Ride for Life!

Started by a family who lost their teenager in a car accident, the Katie Ride for Life -- named after their daughter -- is a group cycling event that strives to bring attention to the importance of organ donation and the lives it can save.

"After losing our daughter, we felt we needed to take action," said David Caples, Katie's father and founder of the event. "We need to increase awareness around the transplant system and generate funding so more people will make the commitment to being an organ donor."

Taking place on April 17 in Northeast Florida, the sixth annual Katie Ride for Life is expecting a team of more than 800 riders. And with distances from 18 to 100 miles, it's open to everyone, from those on beach cruisers to avid cyclists. "We draw people from all over the country," said Caples. They even have a virtual rider in Boston who is cycling indoors more than 1,000 miles -- the distance from Mass. to Fla. -- to raise funds.

The consent rate to become a donor is much higher when people make the decision ahead of time and not when it becomes an emotional issue, therefore the money raised from this ride is used to educate high school juniors and seniors about something they have most likely never discussed. "It's important to make that decision early in life," said Caples.

With over 100,000 individuals on the transplant list right now, the goal with the Katie Ride is to open this discussion. "Every 15 minutes someone is added to the list," said Caples, "and every 90 minutes someone dies because there wasn't a viable organ available to them. We want to change those numbers." And by the number of motivated riders, they are well on their way.

"The most inspiring thing for me was to see the recipients of organs out there and how they were so thankful that they could participate in the ride and just live life to the fullest," said one rider, Ashley McIntyre. "They were so grateful that others had donated their organs so that they had such an opportunity."

Ask any other participant, and they will tell you the ride is about more than just the miles covered. It's about connecting with other riders, diversity, camaraderie, individual stories and sharing a meal together at the end.

"One way the Caples bring their message home is by having organ recipients handing out the finishing medals," said another rider, Jaime LeBlanc. "It's very powerful to receive a personal thanks from a donor recipient. When it gets towards the end of the ride and maybe you're a little sore or tired, I stop and think how insignificant that is compared to those on the organ donor list, and it gives me the strength to pedal on."

"This ride is about life," said Caples. "It's exhilarating." To learn more, take part in the ride, make a donation or start a ride in your area, visit the Katie Ride for Life site.

Even those in cars can help by co-existing with bikers and sharing the road.