Hundreds of people gathered in Saratoga this Sunday to participate in the 6th annual Team Billy Ride and Walk for Research. The event is organized every year by the Grey family, who lost their son and brother, Billy, to a brain tumor in 2001.

What began ten years ago as a part of the Ride for Research sponsored by the Brain Tumor Society in Massachusetts, eventually developed into an autonomous event in 2005. In addition to the 10-mile, 25-mile, and 50-mile bike rides offered each year, a three-mile walk was added as another option in 2008. Participation in each of these events continues to increase every May, and, this year, a record of over 500 bikers and walkers donated their time and money to raise awareness and support for brain tumor research.

The Grey family had hoped to raise $50,000 at this year’s ride/walk — a goal that they certainly achieved and surpassed. All of the money raised at the event will be used to further scientific research of brain tumors — an endeavor that will hopefully one day result in a cure for this deadly cancer.

Billy Grey spent three years at the Albany Academy, and treasured every moment of his time here. He is remembered for his vivacity and optimism, even while undergoing debilitating cancer treatment in an attempt to stave off his life-threatening disease. Billy’s sister, Polly Grey, is currently a junior at AAG, and honors her brother every year through her support of the Ride.

In past years, rain, clouds, and frigid temperatures have greeted the bikers and walkers as they made their way out of the farmer’s market at the start of the event; in fact, this inclement weather has become an unfortunate, albeit expected, tradition at the annual Ride. This year, however, sun and blue sky welcomed the crowd of families, students, dogs, and bikes that gathered in downtown Saratoga, all in the memory of one little boy.

For more information about Team Billy, please visit www.teambilly.org