Beyond The Walls

Cycling for a Cause

Cycling is Deirdre Sweeney’s preferred form of exercise. Taking that preference to the next level and participating in many of the area’s bike tours appropriately combines her willingness to accept a mental and physical challenge with her philanthropic mindset to support a good cause.

Sweeney, a staff nurse on 12ABC, initially ventured into cycling by participating in the Boston to New York AIDS Ride, which she heard about through her local gym. “I’d always been an active person, exercising regularly. The Boston to New York AIDS Ride seemed like a great way to step things up and add a little bit of a challenge to my work out,” said Sweeney, who alternated between stationary cycling at the gym and road biking outside to train for the three-day, 250-mile bike ride. Sweeney continued her personal cycling challenge the following year by participating in the 100-mile Leukemia Ride.

Then, in the fall of 1998, her motivation for cycling was forever altered when her older sister Jill was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Soon thereafter, Sweeney set her sites on the Great Mass Getaway—a two-day, 150-mile bike tour hosted by the Central New England Chapter of the National MS Society.

“When Jill was diagnosed, I knew I wanted to help in any way I could. The Great Mass Getaway seemed like the perfect opportunity to do something I enjoyed, while raising money to benefit an organization that helps individuals and families battling this disease,” she said.

Sweeney has consistently participated in this annual event and is gearing up for her fifth Getaway ride this June. While the challenge is still inherent, she explains that her true motivation is helping her sister and others afflicted with MS. As she explains, “Jill has been at every ride to cheer me on. Seeing her waiting at the finish line with a huge smile on her face is the best reward I could ever receive.”

Sweeney can be contacted for additional information about the Great Mass Getaway via email (desweeney@partners.org).