Ride for Hope Ovarian Cancer Awareness Charity Ride Raises $44,263
The seventh annual Ride for Hope, a 501(c) (3) ovarian cancer awareness motorcycle ride and celebration, conceived and organized by JuliAnne Scully, a 38-year ovarian cancer survivor and owner of JuliAnne's Hair in Schaumburg, raised $44,263 to benefit this year's three ovarian and gynecologic cancer warriors: Aneta from Schaumburg, Erica from Chicago, and Isabella of West Chicagoas well as the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) Faces of Hope Program. This brings the grand total raised by the charity to over $259,000. "What started as a way to help the NOCC create awareness for the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer has grown into a community event - with riders from many clubs and participants from all over the area - to raise money for local women in their fight for survival," Scully said.
Four hundred and seven motorcycles, stretching over a mile, wound through McHenry County on the 55-mile charity ride, escorted by the McHenry County Sheriffs and the Woodstock Police Department, with traffic control by the Chicago Punishers West, and medical support by the EMS Roaddocs of Illinois. The ride began at Woodstock Harley-Davidson, 2235 S. Eastwood Drive in Woodstock, and ended at Niko's Red Mill Tavern, 1040 Lake Ave., in Woodstock, on Sunday, June 26.
Scully bought her first bike to celebrate her 25-year cancer-free anniversary.
"To date, there is no early detection test for ovarian cancer," she said, "consequently, most cases are diagnosed in their later stages."
One in 78 women is diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, and approximately 15,000 women die from the disease annually. Symptoms include pain in the abdomen and pelvis, bloating, indigestion, nausea, change in bowel habits, abdominal fullness, fatigue, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
According to Melissa Aucoin, CEO of the NOCC, "We are committed to raising awareness about ovarian cancer and educating every woman in America about this disease. We are grateful to Ride for Hope as they continue to help us fulfill our mission to help offset the financial burden of treatment and save women's lives."
"We always hope for a great turnout, we hope for community and business support, we hope for good weather, because hope is what keeps our recipients and their support systems going," said Scully." We ride for the hope of a cure of this silent, deadly cancer, and to spread the signs and symptoms so women can Take Early Action and Live."
Teal is the color of ovarian cancer.
"In her most recent book, Jane Goodall describes hope as 'what we desire to happen,'" Scully said, "something we must be prepared to work hard to make so. It takes amazing, selfless volunteers, generous sponsors and supporters, and hundreds of man-hours to reach our goal," she said.
Scully's teal tribe of sponsors, businesses, individuals, and volunteers this year include The Chicago Law Tigers, Woodstock Harley-Davidson, Niko's Red Mill Tavern, US Law Shield, RM Woodstock Properties, Horcher's Service, Laser Med Spa, and many more business and individuals who work all year long soliciting gift cards, raffle items, in-kind services, and money to support the cause.
Guests at the after-party dined on pulled pork sandwiches, brats, salad, fruit and dessert, and enjoyed Southern Jack playing hits by ZZ Top, The Marshall Tucker Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, Molly Hatchet, and many more on the outdoor stage. They participated in more fundraising at a silent auction; 100-box drawing; gift card chopper raffle, a hand made Harley-Davidson quilt raffle, and a 50/50 split the pot drawing.
To get involved with Ride for Hope, make a donation, or learn more about Ovarian Cancer visit www.rideforhopeil.org.
Anyone interested in joining the "teal tribe" of volunteers and sponsors can contact JuliAnne Scully at ocrideforhope2015@gmail or on Facebook at Ride for Hope-Schaumburg, where events, parties and fundraisers for the coming year will be listed.