Whidbey Island Bank is this year’s Platinum Spoke Sponsor — for the third year in a row — of the Tour de Whidbey.

The annual fundraising bicycle ride for Whidbey General Hospital has already earned the support of 40 local businesses and hospital associates, and organizers said it is on its way to exceed its fundraising target of $50,000 for the third year running.

This year, the tour hopes to raise the funds to equip every bedside in the WGH Emergency Department with integrated vital sign monitors that can continuously monitor a patient’s heart and cardiac system, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, as well as the traditional blood pressure, respiration and temperature levels. Less than half of the emergency department’s 13 bedsides are currently outfitted with the comprehensive monitors.

“We love this event,” said Mary Moore Bailey, vice president-marketing manager for Whidbey Island Bank.

“The Tour de Whidbey gives us an opportunity to support a vital community resource by providing financial support. And to get involved in a very hands-on way with our community by being on the route providing water and treats to the riders we meet at our break station,” she said.

Whidbey Telecom and the WGH Physicians and Allied Health Staff, with gifts of $5,000 each, return to the tour as Gold Spoke Sponsors, also for the third year.

The 10th annual Tour de Whidbey will be held Saturday, Sept. 24.

“Every year the Tour de Whidbey targets essential medical equipment that supports our physicians, allied health and nursing staff to better serve our patients,” said Dr. Douglas Langrock, WGH’s chief of medical staff.

“We are proud to contribute to the transformation of the capacity and quality of patient monitoring in our very busy emergency room.”

For more information on the tour, or to register to ride, visit www.whidbeygen.org/whidbeygeneralhospitalfoundation/tourdewhidbey.