The teams consisted of researchers and clinicians from the Functional Genomics department of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Human Genetics department of Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Radboud UMC, University of Antwerp, and Antwerp University Hospital, as well as family members of STXBP1 patients. Each team biked more than eighty kilometers to the mid-point in Dordrecht, halfway between the labs of Amsterdam and the labs of Antwerp. In Dordrecht, all bikers were welcomed by supporters, family members of patients and colleagues.
Claudia Persoon, one of the cyclists and project leader at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: “We would like to thank all cyclists for their great achievement, the supporters for their enthusiasm and the sponsors for their donations. It has been heartwarming to see the overwhelming support for this cause.” In total the teams raised €6.359,00 and Penn State University will double this amount.
All donations have been transferred to the Million Dollar bike ride organization in the United States (team STXBP1). The Penn Medicine Orphan Disease Center will distribute the funds to the international scientific community through grant proposal applications. They will monitor and manage progress of the science and spending of the funds.
See the MDBR website for more information.