Falmouth, ME–A team of consumer electronics industry cyclists calling themselves the CE Express will stage a series of bike rides in cities across the United States and the United Kingdom to raise money for cancer research. CE Express is a consumer electronics industry initiative headed by CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design & Installation Association) president Ken Smith, which brings cyclists from across the nation together to ride and raise funds for cancer research.
Regional rides are taking place in San Francisco (August 17th), Falmouth, Maine (August 25), Irvine, CA (August 25th) and London, England (on September 2).
The money raised by the CE Express will help doctors and scientists find new cures and better treatments for cancer, thus saving thousands of lives, said Ken Smith, CEDIA president and ringleader of the CE Express. I have been touched personally by this disease on many levels. This ride gives me and many others in our industry an opportunity to do our part in fighting cancer, one mile at a time.
Fundraising proceeds will be donated to The Lance Armstrong Foundation, a charitable foundation started by seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. A fundraiser event is planned for the CE Express during CEDIA EXPO, the associations annual trade show in Denver Colo., to raise funds for and celebrate the successes of the CE Express on Friday, September 7th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Lobby D Terrace of the Colorado Convention Center.
Donations to the CE Express will be accepted throughout the event.
CE Express began in 2005, when Smith, an accomplished cyclist, rode a solitary trek from Maine to Indianapolis, CEDIA’s headquarters. In 2006, Smith soldiered on, taking on a 2,200-plus mile journey that began in Augusta, Maine, and ended with a grand finale celebration at CEDIA EXPO in Denver, Colorado. Along the way, sponsored riders from around the country joined the tour, including a West Coast team that scaled the Rockies for hundreds of miles and thousands of feet, eventually crossing paths with Smith and the rest of the CE Express for a special meet in the middle ride-in celebration at CEDIA EXPO. The 2006 ride raised over $40,000 for cancer research.
Smith is hoping to double his 2006 fundraising record this year, to more than $80,000. This years sponsors include CEDIA, Marketing Matters, Niles Audio, Residential Systems magazine, Windy Ridge Studio, Maine Hosting Solutions and DI Partner. CE Express officials have established a website, www.ce-express.com, with more information. A $50 registration fee applies.
To join a ride, contact the team captain in the CE Express city nearest you:
For Falmouth, Maine, call Ken Smith, the team captain, at 207.671.3908.
For San Francisco, call Terry Hill at 415.454.2087, or Glen OBrien, at 415.491.6260.
For London, England, call Simon Buddle at 07770 914631 or 020 7819 1700, or Peter Aylett at 07769 977986.
For Irvine, CA, call Mark Hoffenberg at 949.206.0606.
To sponsor a team, lead a ride or make a donation, visit www.ce-express.com.
