Five years ago, a family member of a hospice patient approached St. Luke’s Hospice to organize a bike ride because he wanted to give back to the hospice who cared for his mother.

Now, celebrating its fifth year, St. Luke’s Hospice Bike Ride has become a way for many others to give back.

This summer, more than 200 riders took to the trail to celebrate life, riding in memory of family and friends.

Memorial signs for loved ones dotted the trail under the shining sun.

“The turnout for the hospice bike ride was amazing,” said Linda Moller, RN, MSN, director of St. Luke’s Hospice. “Everyone was very enthusiastic and ready to ride.”

William Rauenzahn was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, in fall 2012.

After fighting a long battle that included chemo and radiation, he transitioned to hospice care in spring 2014.

“St. Luke’s Hospice gave my dad and my family the support we needed at that time,” said rider and Bethlehem resident Aimee Kipila “Because of them, I believe my dad had the most peaceful end of life possible, and we were able to cherish the time we had left with him.

“The last ‘normal’ cancer-free Father’s Day I had with my dad was spent riding bikes together on the D&L trail, so I rode for him.”

Kipila, patient care manager of the Intensive Care Unit at St. Luke’s Anderson Campus, rode with a group of friends from her work unit who rode to support her and in memory of St. Luke’s Hospice patients.