By Sara N. Miller / smiller@soundpublishing.com

Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm. Never heard of it? Neither had I. Nor had doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital who had never seen this rare form of blood cancer when Ian Gunnell was diagnosed with it in 2013. He was 6 years old at the time.

Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN) is a cancer that affects red and white blood cell counts in the immune system, platelet counts and usually depletes bone marrow involvement in the body. It is most common in men between the ages of 60-70.

Ian is now 9 years old. He takes part in Boy Scouts, plays video games and likes playing baseball, his favorite position being shortstop. He also likes riding his bike and is training for the Fred Hutch Obliteride, a ride on Aug. 9 where 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly toward cancer research.

“In 2013, we were living in Seattle for treatment when we saw signs for the Obliteride everywhere,” said Tanya, Ian’s mother.

If you remember Seattle in 2013, you might remember The Town covered in orange. Banners, billboards, buses and everything in between donned this vibrant color in honor of the inaugural Obliteride.

The Gunnell family immediately wanted to be part of this event, but due to Ian’s treatment schedule they weren’t able to ride that first year. They always kept it in mind, however, and in 2014, Ian’s father Chris rode with the Juno Therapeutics team. This year, the whole family is riding with Juno.

“Fred Hutch is so closely involved with Children’s, and it’s a great cause to take part in,” Tanya said. “It provides funds for what we’re doing, what we’ve gone through.”

Because of the lack of research done with BPDCN, many patients rely on clinical trials. Fred Hutch is one of the world’s foremost experts in clinical research. For example, Fred Hutch, led by Dr. E. Donnall Thomas, pioneered bone marrow transplantation for widespread use to treat leukemia and other blood cancers, saving hundreds of thousands of lives.

Because of work like this, Ian is able to join his dad and the rest of his family in riding the Obliteride this year.

“I’m excited because I like riding my bike with my family and it’s fun,” said Ian.

The Obliteride has several different courses to choose from. They vary in distance (ranging from 10-150 miles) and fundraising commitments. More information about each course and the map for riders can be found on the Obliteride website (www.obliteride.org/ride).

The 10 mile ride is a new addition this year for families and people a little unsure of biking. It starts at Fred Hutch and goes around Lake Union and Gas Works Park.

“We wanted to try and do it, but we were thinking, ‘Really? Can we do 25?’ And then we saw a 10 mile and we said, ‘Score, we’re doing 10,’ ” said Tanya.

If people wanted to ride but didn’t have a bike of their own, Obliteride has them covered.

“A very generous donor offered up bikes for people to borrow if they don’t have one,” said Kerri Schneider, public relations consultant for Obliteride. “We love to have people involved and thanks to sponsors like University Village, 100 percent of money raised goes 100 percent to the cause.”

If biking isn’t your forte, there are other ways to get involved.

“We have a ton of volunteer opportunities on our website,” said Schneider. “We are also encouraging people to look at the maps and go out to cheer on the riders. We are working hard to raise money for research and when riders see signs of encouragement, or of loved ones with cancer, it gives them that oomph to get it done. It’s inspiring to them.”

That’s one way the Gunnell family was involved last year.

“We made signs last year when the riders went through Poulsbo,” Chris said. “We went and helped in the pit stop booth giving water, it wasn’t formal, but everyone liked being cheered on. Once you get started, you get infected and you want to do it. It’s really fun.”

Along with the different rides, there is a rider kick off party on Aug. 7 to thank everyone for their hard work raising money.

“Tom Douglas is catering and cooks an incredible dinner for all the riders,” Schneider said. “Then at the finish, there is another big party with entertainment, food and beverages.”

Along with the Obliteride, the Gunnells were involved with Relay for Life at North Kitsap High School earlier this month and encourage others to get involved to help kids like Ian.

As Ian’s older sister Jenna says, “It’s worth the effort.”

Schneider, who excitedly spoke about the Gunnells, calling them an amazing family with an amazing story, agrees. She got involved with Fred Hutch because she wanted people to be more aware of events like this and families like the Gunnells. She said she knew the Obliteride would be a great cause and says that once finished, everyone describes the weekend as “absolutely awesome.”

“That’s what people say after — that was so awesome. Everybody uses that word to describe the weekend, and they’re right.”

The Obliteride begins with the kickoff party on Aug. 7, and continues through the weekend with different rides. There are still many opportunities to volunteer including cheering on those riding. On Aug. 8, riders will be coming through Poulsbo.

For more information: www.obliteride.org.