HPD relay riders bike to benefit cancer research

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A special group of Houston Police officers are gearing up for a long bike ride that's expected to raise tens of thousands of dollars to help in the fight to end blood cancer.

The HPD relay bike ride benefits blood cancer research

Thirty three officers will leave downtown Houston Friday for the 35th annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Society relay bike ride. This year, the group will be riding 2,500 miles to San Francisco.

VIDEO: Interstate bike ride honors cancer patients

Some of Houston's finest will be testing their skills and endurance to help people fighting cancer

Officers will have plenty of inspiration along the way. They will be riding with leukemia survivors and family members of survivors, along with having a dog tag around their neck with the name of their respective honor patient and survivors. The group will be riding 24 hours a day until they reach their destination in nine days.

Leukemia is the number one child killing disease. Over the past 34 years, the Houston Police Department has helped to raise nearly $6 million. Their officers have ridden more than 74,000 miles.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will honor the officers in a send-off celebration at City Hall. If interested, you can donate online.

VIDEO: HPD bike relay team saves trapped driver on ride to New York

The team is pedaling from Houston to New York to raise money in the fight against cancer. One the way, they saved their first life