Bicyclists will see a new addition to the 17th annual York Cancer Center Bike Hike this year as butterflies are released into the wild in honor of loved ones.

The bike hike will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, beginning at Indian Rock Elementary School at 1500 Indian Rock Dam Road. Participants may walk or bike 5 to 10 miles along the Heritage Rail Trail County Park.

Participants need a minimum sponsorship of $50 to receive a T-shirt, and all proceeds from the event will benefit the Cancer Center Patient Help Fund and the Cancer Screening and Outreach Fund.

The team that raises the most funds will receive a trophy for each team member at a luncheon in October.

Participants should also bring one non-perishable food item to the bike hike to contribute to the food pantry at the York Cancer Center, which benefits patients and their families.

The butterfly release is a new addition this year, and groups or individuals may purchase a live butterfly for $25 to release in memory of a loved one. Anyone is welcome to participate in the butterfly release, regardless of whether they are walking or biking. The release ceremony will be at 11 a.m.

The Cancer Patient Help Fund helps lessen the impact of costs for individuals and families by providing them with funds for everyday expenses like rent, utilities, groceries and transportation so they can focus on healing.

The Cancer Screening and Outreach Fund helps with efforts to increase early diagnosis and treatment of cancer in York and Adams counties with cancer screening tests and educational and outreach services.

WellSpan is sponsoring the event. To register for the bike hike or for more information, visit www.wellspan.org/bikehike.

-- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com