Registration open for ninth annual ovarian cancer awareness ‘Ride for Hope’

Registration is open for the ninth annual Ride for Hope, a 501(c) (3) ovarian cancer awareness motorcycle ride and celebration, conceived and organized by JuliAnne Scully, a 40-year ovarian cancer survivor and owner of JuliAnne’s Hair in Roselle. The 50-mile escorted charity ride begins and ends at Moretti’s Ristorante and Pizzeria, 1175 W. Lake St., in Bartlett, on Sunday, July 14. Support during the ride will be provided by the EMS RoadDocs; LAMA, the Latin American Motorcycle Association, in Winfield; and the Punishers Chicago West.

Event registration, which is $35, includes a Ride for Hope T-shirt, breakfast, and the after-party. Day-of registration is $40 and open from 8-10 a.m. at Moretti’s, with kickstands up at 10:30 a.m.

Riders and nonriders are welcome at the after-party, from 1-4 p.m., that features the Moretti’s lunch and dessert buffet, live music by Bronson Rock, a silent auction, box drawings, a Teal Chopper Gift Card raffle, a Split the Pot raffle, the Teal Marketplace, the Survivor’s Tent with LMS Comfort Dogs, an opportunity to sign the life-size teal survivor ribbons, and vendors to browse and shop.

“This is the second year we will hold our after-party at Moretti’s, and our fourth event there,” said Scully. “We appreciate the support of Corporate General Manager Jim Earley and Moretti’s Bartlett Manager Amanda Golecki. Their help is invaluable in both the preplanning stages and the day of our event.”

Ride for Hope raises funds to help local women who have financial hardships from ongoing medical treatment for their ovarian cancer and support the Midwest programs of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC).

To nominate a recipient visit rideforhopeil.org and click on the nominations tab. Print and fill out the nomination form and return by email to ocrideforhope2015@gmail.com.

“Our recipients are vetted and chosen based on need. They become part of our TEAL Family where no one fights alone,” said Scully.

In 2015, its inaugural year, Ride for Hope raised $25,600. Since then, Ride for Hope has raised over $300,000.

“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 groups from all over the area — to raise money for local women in their fight for survival,” Scully said.

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. Illinois ranks #5 in the nation for the most ovarian cancer deaths.

“Our goal in fundraising is to ease the financial burdens of our recipients, celebrate our survivor’s anniversaries, honor those who have gone before us, and help more women take early action and live,” Scully said.

To register for the ride and after-party visit the Ride for Hope page on Eventbrite.

To join the 2023 Ride for Hope TEAL family of volunteers, learn about upcoming fundraising events, donate, or read important information about the early warning signs of ovarian cancer, visit rideforhopeil.org.