Marcy Kandel, from Roslyn, has been riding in the annual "Cycle for Survival" event for 10 years, but recently the meaning of the rides changed for her after she was diagnosed with blood cancer.

"In August of 2023, I was diagnosed a multiple myeloma so the journey became very personal," she said.

This Saturday and Sunday teams fundraising for cancer research will be doing their best on the bikes at Equinox Gym in Woodbury.

Rocky Ribacoff will lead the sessions.

"Every single dollar raised goes directly to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for rare cancer research and treatment," said Ribacoff, an Equinox fitness manager.

"In that room everyone is there to help each other and also have fun. You cry, you laugh," said Kandel.

Kandel's team has so far raised nearly $70,000 this year.

"At some point in my future I will rely on the research that's being done at Memorial Sloan Kettering to help me when I have a recurrence which will most definitely happen because multiple myeloma does not have a cure," she said.

The national event has raised more than $440 million in its 20 years riding for research.

"I hope to live another 20 years and be a participant in Cycle for Survival as long as I possibly can," said Kandel.

This weekend all the equipment in the gym will be moved to make room for 100 stationary bikes. Registration to ride to closed, but anyone can attend the event and support the teams cycling on Saturday and Sunday.