Ride & Renew

Take indoor cycling, yoga classes at pancreatic cancer fundraiser

MONTGOMERYVILLE >> The community is invited to spin cycle, do yoga and renew the body as a fundraiser for the Mary Halinski Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

The fitness fundraiser will take place on Nov. 20 at the Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center, 1030 Horsham Road. There will be three yoga classes and three spin classes offered at the event between 8 a.m. and noon.

Bob Halinski is co-organizing the event with his daughter Stephanie Kensy. Halinski lost his wife, Mary, to pancreatic cancer in 2013. November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

“It’s important for folks to understand that it (pancreatic cancer) is woefully underfunded and private donations really do make a difference,” Halinski said adding that 100 percent of the proceeds from Ride & Renew will go toward the research fund in his wife’s name.

Halinski and his daughter got the idea to do a fitness fundraiser because they both cycle and do yoga. Halinski started biking outdoors in 2014 then began taking spinning classes that winter. “I just loved it,” he said. Now he takes spin classes year round and also takes yoga classes. He said the fitness activities have helped him a lot including mentally after going through his wife’s passing.

Halinski said beginners in yoga and indoor cycling shouldn’t be intimidated and that they are more than welcome to attend the fundraiser on Nov. 20. He said each class has a certified instructor to explain the basics.

Spaces are limited for each class so people must register to guarantee a spot. For more information about the Ride & Renew fundraiser, visit the event page at bit.ly/2f4GdMB.