A local restaurant is raising money for cancer research and patient care.

The restaurant's owner has had a hand in raising money for the disease in the past, but the efforts hit close to home this year.

 Mary Jane Gleason, the owner of Seabreeze Pizza Plus in Milford, became involved with "Closer to Free Ride" last year, when she held a fundraiser for the event that benefits the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Gleeson planned to raise more money for the event this year but was diagnosed with breast cancer early this summer.

Gleason says she checked into Yale-New Haven Hospital and had a double mastectomy. She says she didn't need chemotherapy or radiation and that she is doing fine.

Gleeson says she decided to take this year's fundraising to another level by forming her own team to ride in the event. The restaurant's neighbors and customers also signed on to the team.

The Closer to Free Ride fundraising event is being held Sept. 12.