Registration open for fourth annual Ride for Hope to benefit Ovarian Cancer Awareness, local women
Registration is open for the fourth annual Ride for Hope, a motorcycle ride and celebration, escorted by the Illinois State Police, the Medinah Shriner's Motor Corps, and medically supported by the EMS Roaddocs of Illinois.
The 60-mile charity ride starts Sunday, July 29, at the Fox River Harley Davidson, 131 Randall Road in St. Charles, with kick stands up at 10:30 a.m. The ride will end at noon at the St. Peter Lutheran Church's historic picnic grove, 202 E. Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg, for an after party.
Ride for Hope raises funds to help spread awareness of ovarian cancer and to help women with financial hardships battling this disease.
The fundraiser was conceived and organized by JuliAnne Scully, owner/operator of JuliAnne's Salon & Spa in Schaumburg, in 2015. In its inaugural year, the ride raised $25,600, making it the largest third party 501(c)3 donation to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition in the U.S. In total, Ride for Hope has donated nearly $100,000 to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
"Our mission is to spread awareness of the symptoms of this silent disease and help ease some of the financial burden women and families face while on this devastating journey," Scully said. "Proceeds from this year's event will help fund treatments for two locally nominated women as well as support the NOCC's research and their efforts to raise awareness."
Scully is a 32-year stage three ovarian cancer survivor who bought her first bike to celebrate her 25-year cancer-free anniversary.
"To date, there is no early detection test for ovarian cancer; consequently, most cases are diagnosed in their later stages. Over 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, and approximately 15,000 women die annually from the disease," Scully said.
To register for the ride and after-party, visit www.rideforhopeil.com, or rideforhope2018.eventbrite.com or stop in Julianne's Salon & Spa, 544 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, or call (224) 433-9914.
Registration is $25 per rider and passenger; day-of registration will be 8 to 10 a.m. at Fox River Harley Davidson. The registration fee includes admission to the after-party which features music by Mellencougar and an "amazin' grazin'" family-style picnic with food donated by Head's Red BBQ; Sammy's Mexican Grill and Bar; Lou Malnati's Pizzeria; The Village Tavern & Grill; The Original Nana's Hot Dogs and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Also at the after-party: a beer tent; a silent/live auction; 100 box drawings; a wine pull; an opportunity to visit with the Comfort Dogs in the Survivor Tent; and a Teal marketplace selling T-shirts, pins, jewelry, and more.
To join the 2018 Ride for Hope, make a donation, or learn about the early warning signs of ovarian cancer, visit www.rideforhopeil.com.