Bicyclist Donate to Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness

January 10, 2004

Contact: Kathy Betz
1-888-906-BIKE
Kathybetz@bike4breastcancer.com

“When you reach for the stars you may not quite get them, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud, either.”
             -Leo Burnett

by Kathy Johnson

When Kathleen McDonald of Boyne City started planning the inaugural 2003 Charlevoix/Emmet County Pink Ribbon Ride to benefit breast cancer awareness she planned on being there. Kathleen, herself a breast cancer victim, didn’t live to participate in the ride, but she saw it. Just a little different view than she and her friends had hoped for.

Her friend Sue Morris from East Jordan, and other friends like Cheryl Hofbauer, finished the project she started last winter and in the process they raised over $10,000 for breast cancer awareness. The Charlevoix Area Hospital Foundation and the Community Health Education Center at Northern Michigan Hospital each received checks for $3,757 to be spent locally for mammograms for low-income women and for programs concerning breast cancer awareness, education and information.

Sue, who chaired the 2003 event, Cheryl Hofwebber, unofficial co-chair for 2003 and Kathleen’s sister, Char Schuman from Belleville, are among those already working on the 2004 Pink Ribbon Ride. Businesses are being contacted regarding support and sponsorships, and the ride is on.

The 2004 event is scheduled for June 19, at Veteran’s Park in Boyne City. It may seem a little early to start planning, but these ladies are reaching for the stars and you have to plan big to achieve those kinds of goals. Of course, they will all tell you they would rather just be biking and not have to host such an event – maybe when we can cure cancer and like polio it is just a memory, maybe then they can just bike for the fun of it. Until then Sue and Cheryl and Char and other friends of Kathleen and the thousands of women lost each year, will be out there raising money for breast cancer.

For information about the 2004 Pink Ribbon Ride call 231-547-8502.

Design for Johnson Graphics as appears in the "Developments" publication of the Charlevoix Area Hospital Foundation.  Photograph courtesy of Karen Walker Photography.