Next month Kirkland resident Jeanette Woldseth will be helping raise money for cancer research through Obliteride.

A retired firefighter who worked at the Bellevue Fire Department for 28 years, Woldseth’s ride will raise money for cancer research at Fred Hutchinson in Seattle.

The fight against cancer is a personal one for Woldseth.

Diagnosed with cancer in 2010, she is currently going through treatment at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, though it isn’t stopping her plans to ride the 50 miles in Obliteride on Aug. 9.

This is her third year riding, after discovering Obliteride while trying to do volunteer work and realized she wanted to raise funds for research. To date, Obliteride has raised over $4.1 million for Fred Hutch.

For Woldseth, whose main interest is soccer, riding in the event and training for it was a new experience.

“I didn’t even own a bike,” she said.

Since her first ride, she has done just one other 25-mile ride and plans to do the 50-mile ride next month with two other Kirkland residents who have battled cancer. But the main focus of the ride, she said, is on the fundraising rather than the distance, time or rank. With a goal of raising $10,000, she said she has raised $6,800 so far.

“People have been very generous,” she said. “The Hutch has done a really good job of trying to make it a community event and grow it. It’s a good community. I’ve met a lot of people fighting the same fight as I am.”

Woldseth’s ability to lead and her story resonates with Obliteride’s Executive Director Amy Lavin.

“We’re thrilled the former fire captain is now one of our team captains,” Lavin said. “Many of our riders are not cyclists but their deep commitment to fighting cancer is all the motivation they need to get on a bike.”

The 50-mile ride starts at Fred Hutch at 1100 Fairview Ave N in Seattle and ends at Gas Works Park on 2101 N Northlake Way. All the money raised benefits cancer research at Fred Hutch.

Obliteride offers rides ranging from 10 miles to 150 miles. For more information about the different rides, visit obliteride.org.