Riding for the Cure
Debi Bell first learned of her breast cancer diagnosis in 2009, and she quickly learned how costly cancer can be — literally.
Within months, Bell was faced with numerous necessary and snowballing expenses, and her medical benefits didn’t cover them all.
That’s when Bell’s friend, Lynda Kerr, stepped in and started a mass motorcycle ride to raise money for cancer patients such as Bell.
Once a year since 2012, dozens of Butler County motorcyclists have revved up their bikes to ride as a group, doing their part to benefit those who are still fighting the same fight as Bell. The first Riding for the Cure in 2012 raised $6,500 and got the ball rolling.
Proceeds to the event go to the Butler Health System Foundation to benefit cancer patients who, like Bell, are having trouble paying for their treatment. This applies to those fighting through all kinds of cancer, not just breast cancer.
To date, Riding for the Cure has raised more than $400,000 for cancer patients in Butler County.
“(The proceeds) go to the cancer patients for whatever they need,” Kerr said. “If they need their medical bills paid for, their co-pay, medication, food, whatever they need, the patients get.”
Each year's ride brings the participants on a different route, one which is decided upon by an eight-person committee. This committee includes Bell, whose cancer is in remission.
This year, the riders started off on a July day from the 11th Frame Bar and Grille on Fairground Hill Road in Butler, finishing at the Beer Garden in Washington Township.
The Riding for the Cure event on July 29 was beset by a torrential downpour before the start of the ride. Still, Kerr managed to attract 77 riders and raise at least $12,500.
Riding for the Cure isn’t the only charitable event overseen by Kerr. Once every other week over the course of the summer, Riding for the Cure has held the “Flip the Bird” bike night at the 11th Frame. During “Flip the Bird” nights, a percentage of proceeds from food and drink sales at the bar goes to Riding for the Cure.
“We have a game that we play where we give away prizes and cash to the people who attend our bike night,” Kerr said. “We have a little duck pot, and if your ticket’s called, you get to pull a duck and win a prize.”
Another event, Music for the Cure, took place Aug. 12 at the Sessions at Blueberry Hill music venue in Karns City.
