WBEN's James Stelianou embarks on Empire State Ride

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - WBEN's James Stelianou has many passions. He produces the David Bellavia Show every weekday morning on WBEN, he moonlights as a DJ, and when he needs a break from his busy work schedule he hops on his bike.

His next ride will take him across New York State, a journey of over 500 miles beginning in Staten Island and finishing in Niagara Falls. It's the Empire State Ride, and its James' fifth time taking part.

"I was drawn to it initially just because of personal ties to cancer," Stelianou says. "Family, friends who've dealt with it and battled, even here in the building, people who were close to me that dealt with cancer."

The goal for this year's Ride is to raise $2 million for Roswell, all of which is raised by the ride's participants. Riders have already reached $1.8 million towards that goal.

"That's funding clinical trials and all sorts of advances in cancer research," Stelianou told me.

There's also the sense of community that keeps bringing James back. This year, he'll be one of 377 cyclists making the trek. "All of these people are my friends. Whether I'm communicating with them on social media, texting throughout the year, we all stay in touch that way and sometimes even fly around the country and see each other."

The Empire State Ride finishes on Saturday, July 27 in Niagara Falls. Donations can be made to James Stelianou here .