LEWISTON – Lewiston resident Lee Goldman is taking on the challenge of his life. In honor of his son, he is setting out alone on Saturday, Sept. 4, to ride his bike down Route 1 from Madawaska to Key West, Fla. to raise $1,000,000 to advance the work of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

“Over the last seven years, I have ridden my bicycle over 15,000 miles to train for and make benefit rides for AIDS, leukemia and multiple sclerosis research and patient care.

“Five years ago my efforts became more personal when my son, Dave, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. On May 26 he received his second bone marrow transplant in the hope to finally conquer this devastating disease and give him back a normal life.

“We’re all praying that this treatment will be successful. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been an enormous help to Dave and our family throughout his struggle.”

Goldman said, “I’ve been training hard for the last eight months and, with the help of some wonderful volunteers and sponsors, organizing the logistics of the trip. It is an unsupported ride, which means that I will be camping along the way and carrying all of my equipment and supplies on my bicycle. I’m hoping to arrive in Key West around Oct. 23.”

“None of the ride expenses come from donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Those funds go directly to much needed research and patient care,” Goldman said.

For more information or to help sponsor the Route 1 ride, go to www.ridefordavid.com. To donate to the society, go to www.active.com/donate/usrt1.