Bob Freed founded the Pennsylvania Perimeter Ride Against Cancer in 1983.

Freed, an Allentown teacher, had a personal stake in the cause. He lost two family members and a friend to cancer.

In an effort to raise money for cancer research, Freed planned a dayslong biking journey around the state’s perimeter. A total of 22 riders completed the course, raising $20,000. At the ride’s 18th run — held in 2017 — 69 bikers participated; they raised over $300,000.

They’re hoping to match that figure at this year’s race.

On Sunday, more than 60 riders will depart from Palmerton to tackle the now-biennial campaign. They will meet at their home base, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

Veronica Blocker, who chairs the church’s PPRAC committee, is in charge of planning not only the riders’ send-off, but also their return. Every year, the church hosts a celebration for the returning riders.

“It’s amazing. These riders come back to us and they thank us for everything we’ve done for them,” she said. “I’m like, ‘we served you some food.’ They’re out there fundraising and bicycle riding 500 miles back to us.”

This year, race participants will bike from Pittsburgh back to Palmerton, covering about 100 miles a day over their six-day expedition. They plan to sleep in schools and churches along the way.

As of Tuesday, Blocker said, participants have raised more than $250,000 of their $300,000 goal. The ride’s proceeds will be split between the American Cancer Society (85%) and Dream Come True (15%).

“It’s a worthy cause,” said Blocker, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and has been in remission since 2016.

“Everybody has somebody who’s affected by cancer,” she said.