Mariadina DiGennaro is one of 28 young people biking across the country to raise awareness for cancer. She is pictured at the Baltimore Harbor at the send off ceremony on May 30.
A young woman from the Diocese of Camden is biking across the country to raise awareness for cancer.
Mariadina DiGennaro of Infant Jesus Parish in Woodbury Heights, a recent graduate in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Johns Hopkins University, is taking part in the 4K for Cancer bike ride from Baltimore to San Francisco, Calif., along with 27 other bikers, to raise awareness, raise funds and provide hope.
Spending two months cycling 4,000 miles, the group will meet with those affected by cancer and listen to their stories. Half of their nightly stays are in rural and disadvantaged communities. They deliver presentations that promote early detection and tell stories of hope against cancer. They also participate in day-long community service events across the country and inspire young people to engage in their communities.
In eight years, the nonprofit organization has donated over $500,000 to organizations such as the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Baltimore Hope Lodge, a free, home-like residence for cancer patients and their families.
DiGennaro started raising money for cancer as part of St. Margaret’s Youth Group at Gateway’s first Relay for Life.
For information, and to donate to the 4K, go to www.4kforcancer.org.
To follow the team on their blog, go to www.4kforcancer.blogspot.com. For DiGennaro’s part of the web site, go to www.4Kforcancer.org/riders/2010/mariadina-digennaro.html