Riders take off from Davidson College on the Collier Lilly Ride Saturday morning, June 4. The annual ride, in memory of a Davidson student who died in 1987, supports the cause of organ donation. (PK Donson photo)

More than 400 cyclists turned out Saturday morning, June 4, at Davidson College for the annual Collier Lilly Ride 4 Life, which raised funds and awareness for  organ donation. The event is named in memory of a Davidson College student who died in 1987.

Saturday’s events included routes of 100 kilometers (62 miles),  50K (31 miles), and 15K (about 10 miles) on the  backroads of Mecklenburg, Iredell, Rowan, and Cabarrus counties.

Collier Lilly

Collier Cobb Lilly was a junior at Davidson College working a summer job at Jackson Hole, Wyo., when he died in an automobile accident. His parents donated his organs after his death, and started the ride to encourage others to do the same.

Organizers said Monday a preliminary tally of donations was between $8,000 and $10,000.  Proceeds from the Collier Lilly Ride 4 Life will benefit LifeShare of the Carolinas. The Charlotte-based organ procurement organization serves 37 hospitals in 23 area counties, and works with the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

In the United States, organ transplants have saved and enhanced the lives of over 300,000 people, according to ride organizers. A UNOS registry has more than 105,000 people awaiting transplants nationwide –  18 of whom die every day.

More info: see the Collier Lilly Ride 4 Life website.

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