Fourth Annual Ride for Hope Bike Blessing

Motorcycle bikers and enthusiasts are invited to the fourth annual Ride for Hope bike blessing on May 2, beginning at 9:30am in the parking lot of St. Peter Lutheran Church and School, 202 East Schaumburg Road in Schaumburg. Ride for Hope, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, conceived and organized by JuliAnne Scully, a 43-year ovarian cancer survivor and owner of JuliAnne’s Hair, inside Dazzles Salon & Spa in Roselle. “Our mission is to spread awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, to help improve the quality of life for women battling this silent disease, and to provide monetary assistance to help those with financial hardships,” said Scully. This year, in addition to the blessing and the drone photograph, the event will feature live music; food and drinks; and box drawings and raffles, including a Teal Chopper Gift Card raffle worth $1000, to raise money for Karena Zweerik, an Ovarian Cancer survivor who is experiencing a Stage 4 relapse and has lost her job.

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 National Ovarian Cancer Coalition create awareness for the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer has grown into a community effort to raise money for local women in their fight for survival and share awareness of this deadly disease,” Scully said.

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, and honor those who have gone before us, Scully said.“I believe there is no better way to support our fellow cancer sufferers and start the riding season than with a blessing!”

Bikers should arrive at 9:30am to begin parking in a cancer ribbon formation. Complimentary coffee and donuts will be provided by Jarosch Bakery of Elk Grove Village. Best Furry Friend Search & Rescue of Crystal Lake will fly their drone camera over the bikes between 10:30-10:45am for a group photo. At 11:00am, St. Peter Lutheran pastor, Jerry Hays, a motorcycle enthusiast, will offer the blessing. “At this annual tradition, we pray for protection, safety, and fellowship in the upcoming riding season.” There is no cost to attend the bike blessing.

Following the blessing, the band, BSquad, a rock, blues, and jam band from the Chicago area, will play while bikers, friends, and supporters enjoy lunch from Doctor Dogs in Roselle and I Smell Bacon in Hoffman Estates. Nothing Bundt Cakes will serve some of their classic mini-bundt cake flavors for dessert. “Our food vendors have pledged to donate 20% of their sales at the blessing to Ride for Hope to help offset some of Karena’s expenses.

“There is currently no early-detection or reliable test for ovarian cancer, so recognizing potential symptoms of the disease is critical. Some of these are feeling full quickly while eating, pelvic or abdominal pain, bloating or swelling, and changes in bowel or bladder function. Because these symptoms are vague and go unchecked, most diagnoses are made when the women have reached a later stage,” said Scully.

Representatives from the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition – Midwest Region will also be at the event to provide life-saving awareness materials and information about upcoming fund-raising events.

“Whether you ride or not, come as you are, leave blessed, before the start of the riding season. We want to make this our biggest cancer ribbon yet.”

To learn about upcoming fundraising events, donate, or read important information about the early warning signs of ovarian cancer, visit www.rideforhopeil.org.