Ride for Hope to host Nov. 22 benefit for teenager with stage 4 cancer
Ride for Hope, a 501(c)3 nonprofit Illinois charity, will sponsor a benefit for Jack Martin, a 13-year-old diagnosed with stage 4 Ewing sarcoma, on Friday, Nov. 22.
The evening features a live music performance donated by Hillbilly Rockstarz, and a dinner buffet, courtesy of Lou Malnati's Pizzeria and Riccardo's Ristorante in Schaumburg.
The event also includes a cash bar, silent auction, raffles and 50/50 split the pot.
It will be 5 to 10 p.m. at Randall Oaks Golf Club and Banquets, 4101 Binnie Road in West Dundee. Cost is $25. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the evening will help the Martin family offset the accumulating cost of treatment.
"Jack's cancer has metastasized to both his lungs, his hips, and one arm and leg. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy at Lurie Children's Hospital," said JuliAnne Scully, Jack's aunt and founder of Ride for Hope. "We are so grateful for the community's support and donations of the venue, food, and music. We are, though, in need of items for our silent auction and raffle, as well as any $25 gift cards for our gift card tree," Scully said.
Donations for the raffle and silent auction can be mailed to or dropped off at JuliAnne's Salon & Spa, 544 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, IL 60193.
Drop off days are Tuesdays through Saturdays.
A "Hope for Jack" bank account been established at Parkway Bank & Trust, 951 Meacham Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007, to take any monetary donations. Checks should be made out to Ride for Hope with "Hope for Jack" notated in the memo line. Monetary donations and donations of raffle prizes are tax deductible.
Jack attends Algonquin Middle School in Algonquin. He played football for the Cary Junior Trojans and continues to attend games to cheer for his team. He loves riding dirt bikes, practicing tae kwon do, and spending time with his parents, Sharon and Jason, brother Paul, sister Gina and their five dogs; snake; lizard; and box turtle.
"Ewing sarcoma is the second most common type of bone cancer in children, but it is very rare. About 200 children and young adults are found to have Ewing sarcoma each year in the United States," said Jerry Jenkinson, Scully's husband and Jack's biological uncle. "It affects slightly more boys than girls, but is not hereditary," Jenkinson said. "We know we have a tough fight ahead. This fundraiser will help take some of the financial pressure off Jack's parents so they can focus on his care."
Tickets for the event are available on eventbrite at hopeforjack.eventbrite.com.
To get involved with Ride for Hope or make a donation, visit www.rideforhopeil.org or contact JuliAnne Scully at ocrideforhope2015@gmail or call (224) 422-9914.