Riding For The Cure helps local cancer patients
While it may have started as a way to help a friend, Riding For The Cure has grown to a highly attended community event where the money raised goes toward helping fund the needs of Butler cancer patients, according to president and founder Lynda Kerr.
The event has raised more than $450,000 for the Butler Health System Foundation since its inception in 2012, Kerr said, and she is hoping this year’s event is the best one yet.
“So far the weather is looking good and I want to raise as much money as we can to help those struggling to fight this fight,” Kerr said.
This year’s ride is scheduled to begin at Lyndora American Legion Post 778, 150 Legion Memorial Lane, on Saturday.
Registration begins at 9 a.m., and kickstands go up at 11 a.m. to begin the roughly 100-mile journey with four stops along the way.
“We start at the American Legion, go down through Main Street and up to the Belmont,” Kerr said. “From there we go to Beer Garden where we offer all the riders lunch with hot dogs and water. From there we will go to the St. Cloud Hotel in East Brady. Then the Millerstown Inn and then back to the Legion.”
At each stop, riders are offered water along with chances to win a 50/50 raffle.
Kerr said last year’s event wasn’t the best one for rider turnout due to rainy weather, and they raised around $12,000.
“That’s low,” Kerr said. “Our highest year was $60,000. Cost is $20 for the rider and $15 for the passenger.”
Kerr said her inspiration for starting the ride began in 2010 when her best friend was diagnosed with cancer at age 35.
At the time, her friend had a young daughter and was struggling to pay for treatment and other incidental costs associated with getting treatment in Pittsburgh.
“She had an excellent job with excellent benefits, but the gas money and food expenses just added up,” Kerr said. “Insurance doesn't pay for that.”
Kerr said all funds raised at the event go toward paying for whatever cancer patients in the community might need.
“If they need their electric bill paid because they can't work, we pay for it,” Kerr said. “It could be for medication and copays. We even have a program where we collect hair and do hair halos and wigs — the patient receives the hair, hat or scarf they pick.”
