by TJ MARTINELL

Reporter newspapers

Cancer survivor and former Bellevue Fire Chief Jeanette Woldseth will ride on Sunday to save lives, and celebrate her own.

A retired firefighter who worked at the Bellevue Fire Department for 28 years, Woldseth’s Obliteride ride will raise money for cancer research at Fred Hutchinson in Seattle. She was also the first female firefighter in the state of Washington, according to Lt. Richard Burke of the Bellevue Fire Department.

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.

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.