Over 1,000 people showed up to pedal for medical research this past Sunday at Hartshorn Elementary, raising over $300,000.

Jake’s Ride is a community fundraiser with several bike-riding courses including a one-mile, five-mile, 10-mile and 20-mile route traveling through Millburn and Short Hills, as well as a one-mile walking course.

The event was filled with live entertainment, raffle prizes, free food for all attendees, arts and crafts table, free picture photo booth, tents promoting local businesses  and sponsors.

As one of the Foundation’s most successful grassroots fundraising events, it has raised over $1 million in four years, funding 13 research grants for dystonia and a movement disorder fellow.  

Jake’s Ride was supported by a variety of recognized local companies as sponsors including, Equinox Fitness Club, Investors Savings Bank, Overlook Medical Center, First Trust Bank, The House, The Mall at Short Hills, Margaritas Restaurant, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, TanaBana, VitaOrganics, Weichert Realtors and national companies like BlackRock, Macy’s and Medtronic.

Jake’s Ride for Dystonia Research began in 2007, when a young boy named Jake Silverman was diagnosed with early onset childhood dystonia.  Dystonia is a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable and, at times, painful spasms in one or more parts of the body.  Treatment rarely brings remission and there is no known cure.

After hearing of Jake’s story, the community came together and was determined to make a difference.  In 2008, The Silverman Family came to The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation looking to provide a helping hand.

To find out more information about Jake’s Ride for Dystonia Research, visit www.JakesRide.org.