Riding for the Cure brings hope to local cancer patients
As sun sizzled on the 11th Frame Bar and Grille parking lot, bikers burned rubber and revved engines for the 11th annual Riding For the Cure motorcycle ride Saturday morning.
The local benefit seeks to raise money for local cancer patients and raise awareness for breast cancer and other forms of the disease.
Motorcycles pulled up in groups to 540 Fairground Hill Road, adding to the hundreds already parked and prepared for the ride through Butler and other locations.
Ned Kerr, vice president of the event, said his wife, Lynda, started the ride to help a dear friend.
“At age 35, her friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a good job, but the gas money getting to and from treatments is something insurance doesn’t cover,” he said. “So she decided to do something about it.”
The event grew year after year, and that friend, Deborah Bell, now helps run it. Her cancer has been in remission for 13 years.
“We don’t raise money for cancer research, this is for people effected by cancer, to help them live a relatively normal life,” she said.
Kickstands went up at 11 a.m., with the route leading the pack through Main Street to Leechburg, the Bonniebrook Clubhouse, the American Legion in East Brady and finally to The Beer Garden in Petrolia.
According to Ned, last year’s ride made more than $60,000. This year’s collection will go toward the Butler Health System Foundation and be distributed to those who need it in the Butler area.
“Our goal is to make as much as possible,” he said. “Last year, we had an elderly lady who needed help because she had to choose between chemo treatments or eating. We contributed $3,000 for her chemo treatments. That’s what this is about, it all goes back into the community.”
Many riders were repeat attenders. Mark and Amanda Hensel, of Butler, have participated in 10 Riding For the Cure events.
“We love the charity, it’s a good community event,” Mark said, having just stepped off his 2008 Harley-Davidson Crossbones bike. “Everyone knows someone who has cancer.”
“I love the local rides,” Amanda said. “I’d rather support something local and I know where it’s going.”
Megan Foreback and Michelle DeVore, both of Butler, said it was Megan’s first time riding in the event with her husband.
“I’ve always wanted to do a ride,” Megan said. “I hope people realize it’s for a really good cause. People don’t do rides because they want to cause a nuisance, we’re trying to do something good. Often when you see a big group, it’s for a cause.”
“It’s a nice thing to support,” Michelle said. “These are good people.”
Ultimately, organizers and participants agreed: the event was to honor those fighting cancer and to raise awareness about their fight.
“Awareness is a big thing,” Mark said. “We’re trying to promote awareness. We have this saying, that we want to do something but we’re not doctors."
