$28,000 raised to fight cancer
BUTLER TWP — Lynda Kerr knows how the cost of cancer treatment can drain a bank account.
Kerr's best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, and incurred hefty costs for treatment and medication not covered by insurance, as well as the cost of gas money commuting to and from Pittsburgh for treatment.
“I just realized that we should start something to help out cancer patients,” Kerr said. “Not to go to research and such, but to actually help the patients themselves.”
Kerr put her words into action with Riding For The Cure, which has raised $44,000 this year for cancer patients, including $28,000 from Saturday's fundraiser.
The event featured 396 registered attendees who donated to the cause, 390 of whom were motorcyclists.
Kerr credited part of the strong turnout to good weather.
“This is one of the first years that we actually had good weather,” she said.
Participants started the day at Rock Ann Haven in Butler Township, and made five stops around the county before concluding the day at Longhorn Corral in Franklin Township. The ride totaled more than 100 miles.
Almost 700 people were served food at the Longhorn Corral. Kerr, who is the president of Riding For The Cure, said that the $44,000 brings the organization's six-year total to $173,000.
“I have a lot of committee members and workers that make this all happen,” Kerr said. “If it wasn't for them, it would never get done.”
The money is donated to the Butler Health System Foundation and the Richard Laube Cancer Center in Kittanning, both of which have accounts specifically for money from Riding For The Cure for cancer patients.
Kerr enjoys seeing the fruition of Riding For The Cure.
“I had a girl come up to me who is a cancer survivor who thanked me for saving her life, because without Riding For The Cure, she wouldn't be here to spend time with her 6-year-old son,” Kerr said. “Our money is raised and given to the cancer patient fund for whatever the patients need.”
