Hope Roars for Four Women with Ovarian Cancer
"You have cancer."
Three words that strike fear.
Fear of the unknown. Fear of pain. Fear of financial failure.
It's a life changing diagnosis.
The symptoms of ovarian cancer are subtle in the early stages, and include abdominal discomfort, bloating, fatigue, and bladder pressure. The signs mimic other conditions, and too often go unnoticed and untreated. As a result, more than half of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are already in the later stages, when the cancer has spread outside the pelvic region, making treatment challenging. Many women undergo surgery and chemotherapy. Almost all treatments come with serious side effects resulting in physical and emotional discomfort. Since most women are unable to continue working during treatment, they lose their insurance coverage. Financial burdens become overwhelming. Quality of life diminishes. It becomes hard to see the glass as half full.
For four women this year, help comes from Ride for Hope, a 501(c)(3) charity, that over the past seven years has raised more than $250,000 for local women battling ovarian cancer and facing financial hardship. Ride for Hope is an ovarian cancer awareness motorcycle ride and celebration, conceived and organized by JuliAnne Scully, owner of JuliAnne's Hair in Roselle. "What started as an effort to make women aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer has grown into an annual community event, with over four hundred bikers participating last year," she said. "In 2022 we raised $44,000."
This year, the goal is $100,000. "We have chosen four women as the 2023 Ride for Hope recipients, the most the charity has pledged to help in one year," said Scully. The recipients are: Lynn, a Carpentersville resident battling ovarian cancer for the second time; Lisa, a Route 66 HOG Chapter member from Darien, who was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer that started in her breast and has spread throughout her whole body; Rosie, a bilingual kindergarten teacher from Elgin and single mother of eight-year-old twins, who is undergoing chemotherapy for stage three ovarian cancer; and Cody, from Palatine, who lost her mother to ovarian cancer, and now faces the battle herself with earnings that barely cover the out-of-pocket insurance costs for her treatment. "Monies raised will help pay for the recipients' medical bills, as well as clinical trials not covered by insurance, prescriptions, and for unpaid time off," said Scully.
Annually, Ride for Hope also donates proceeds to the Midwest programs of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC). "The NOCC and Ride for Hope have enjoyed a wonderful partnership for the past seven years," said Karen Young, NOCC Midwest Regional Manager. "It is our shared goal to never see another woman diagnosed with this deadly disease. Until that day comes, we will continue to help each ovarian cancer survivor that we cross paths with to build a support network that will carry them through on their journey," said Young.
JuliAnne Scully is a 39-year ovarian cancer survivor. She bought her first motorcycle when she celebrated her 25-year cancer-free anniversary. "Bikers have a long history of banding together for charity rides to raise money and awareness for worthy causes," says Scully. "That roar of the engines when a long line of bikers passes you on the road is the sound of help and of hope."
"We welcome all makes and models of motorcycles to join us on Sunday, June 11, for the Eighth Annual Ride for Hope, our fifty-mile scenic, escorted ride," said Scully. This year's ride begins at and returns to Moretti's Ristorante and Pizzeria, 1175 West Lake Street, in Bartlett. Registration is $35 per person and available now on the Ride for Hope page at Eventbrite. (http://rideforhope2023.eventbrite.com.)
Support during the ride will be provided by the EMS RoadDocs; LAMA, the Latin American Motorcycle Association, in Winfield; and the Punishers Chicago West.
Day-of registration is 8:00-10:00am, with kickstands up at 10:30am. Riders and non-riders are then welcome at the after-party from 1:00-4:00pm, that includes Moretti's lunch and dessert buffet, and live music by The Nick Bell Band.
Event registration, which is $35, includes a Ride for Hope T-shirt, breakfast, and a door prize ticket. The after-party features a silent auction, box drawings, a $1375 Teal Chopper Gift Card raffle, a Split the Pot raffle, the Teal Marketplace, a Ride for Hope T-shirt Quilt raffle, the Survivor's Tent with LMS Comfort Dogs, an opportunity to sign the life-size teal survivor ribbons, and vendors to browse and shop. Raffle tickets to win Linda "Jo" Giovannoni's 2012 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic, donated by her family, will be available for purchase. Tickets are available online at the Ride for Hope Venmo page.
(https://venmo.com/u/RideForHope-OvarianCancerAware)
"Illinois ranks #5 in the nation for the most ovarian cancer deaths. Sharing awareness about symptoms and educating women will make a difference," said Scully.
To join the 2023 Ride for Hope TEAL family of volunteers, donate, or learn important information about the early warning signs of ovarian cancer, visit www.rideforhopeil.org. or call 224-422-9914.