Mary Gavlek, of Escanaba, is fundraising to participate in a 500-mile bike ride across New York this summer in the Empire State Ride (ESR). The annual event raises money for cancer research. (Photo courtesy of Mary Gavlek)
ESCANABA — One local woman is gearing up to ride 500 miles across New York this summer as part of the Empire State Ride (ESR), a weeklong cycling event that raises money for cancer research.
Mary Gavlek, 63, of Escanaba, has been an avid cyclist for over a decade. She has participated in various cycling events, such as Pedal Across Lower Michigan (PALM) and the Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw (DALMAC) bike ride. Now, she is riding to help fund cancer research.
“I just decided I love to bike ride, and it’s a worthy cause,” Gavlek said. “I get to see a new state every year — I try and go across new states.”
The annual event will take place from July 25 to August 1, starting in New York City and ending in Niagara Falls. Proceeds from the ESR are used to fund research grants and clinical trials at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
The ESR was founded in 2014 by Terry Bourgeois in an effort to fundraise for cancer research at Roswell Park. Each cyclist is required to fundraise $3,500 to be eligible to participate. So far, Gavlek has raised almost $2,000.
Mary Gavlek will be venturing to New York to participate in the Empire State Ride (ESR), which fundraises for cancer research at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Gavlek’s mother, Charlotte Decker, died of cancer at age 40, leaving her husband and five children under the age of 16 behind. (Photo courtesy of Mary Gavlek)
“All money donated will go right to the Roswell Center,” Gavlek said. “I will get myself there, I will get myself home. None of it comes to me. I’m just trying to raise money for cancer research.”
Gavlek’s husband, Andy, will also be traveling with her to volunteer for the ESR in setting up rest stops and helping with logistics. She stated she plans to meet up with other cyclists from Lower Michigan and Illinois for the ESR and meet new cyclists along the ride.
“I will talk to different riders — you bump into different people at different points, and you just talk to them about their adventures and learn about them. I like to see the landscape, see what kind of animals, architecture, buildings.”
Her motivation for the ride is also deeply personal.
“My mother died when I was 12, and she was a registered nurse,” Gavlek said. “She battled colon cancer — very treatable, but misdiagnosed. So, she died at 40 years of age with five children under the age of 16.”
Mary Gavlek and her husband, Andy, will be traveling to New York this summer for the Empire State Ride (ESR). Mary will be cycling, and __ will be volunteering with the event. (Photo courtesy of Mary Gavlek)
Gavlek’s father went on to remarry a woman who later died of cancer after 14 years of marriage. She had also been a widow, as her previous husband had died of leukemia.
“Then, my cousin, he was a baseball coach at Battle Creek Community College for years… During COVID, he started to lose weight, didn’t know what it was from,” she said. “By the time they diagnosed it — because it was very difficult to get into the doctors — he had pancreatic cancer and died within six months.”
Additionally, Gavlek’s biking partner is unable to attend the ESR, as her husband is currently battling cancer.
Gavlek added, “Every day, in my opinion, is a good day because I have lived to experience things. I’ve seen my children graduate. I’ve just experienced different things. I’ve seen retirement, and my mother didn’t see those things.”
She noted advances in cancer research can allow people to live a longer life and give them a fighting chance with opportunities to learn what causes cancer and how to prevent and treat it.
Gavlek also works as a physical therapist, so she has seen patients recovering from cancer, mastectomies or the effects of chemotherapy.
While she works four days a week, she cycles any chance she gets in preparation for the ESR, conditioning her body to cycle for hours at a time.
“[Cycling] doesn’t require a motor,” said Gavlek. “It is dependent upon your health. So, I think it makes me strive to be healthier, better conditioned and to just enjoy the great outdoors.”
As of 2025, ESR draws nearly 300 participants from 28 states with 13,422 donations, according to Roswell Park’s website.
“They set up tents for us at the end of the day as we’re out,” said Gavlek. “And each night, then there’s an educational component for us to learn more about the research and what’s going on.”
Additionally, for every dollar donated to cancer research, Roswell Park leverages an additional $23 from external grants toward their research.
Those wishing to donate toward Gavlek’s goal of $3,500 can do so at her ERS page, https://give.roswellpark.org/site/TR/SpecialEvents/General?pg=personal&px=1736968&fr_id=2130.
The community can follow Gavlek’s journey by visiting her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/marygavlek.
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or [email protected].
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