Ride for Hope Presents a Birthday Ride for Oaklyn on August 30

Since 2015, the 501(c)(3) Illinois charity, Ride for Hope, has been synonymous with raising funding for women battling ovarian cancer and creating a visibility campaign for the signs and symptoms of the disease. The charity, conceived and organized by JuliAnne Scully, a 40+year ovarian cancer survivor, has donated over $450,000 and helped more than two dozen individual recipients, as well as supported the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s programs. This year, on August 30, Ride for Hope will put the power of its Teal Tribe, bikers, volunteers, and community members behind a special event, Oaklyn’s Birthday Ride, to raise money for a three-year old child battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Oaklyn, from Woodstock, Illinois, had already overcome serious medical conditions before her third birthday, when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a fast-growing blood and bone marrow cancer caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. Healthy white blood cells are normally the body’s defense system against infection. Abnormal white blood cells cannot fight infection, and they impair the ability of bone marrow to produce red blood cells and platelets. Her treatment includes chemotherapy at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Center, and physical therapy to help her walk better again. She faces a two-and-a-half-year treatment and long recovery.

“While Ride for Hope’s primary mission is supporting women battling ovarian cancer, from time to time we unite our motorcycle community to help families facing extraordinary circumstances,” said Scully. “Oaklyn’s story touched our hearts, and we knew we had to ride.”

Lacey Pelka, Oaklyn’s mother, a daycare worker in the infant classroom, is unable to work at her job, in order to keep Oakland’s environment free from any possible infectious germs. “To ease some of the overwhelming financial burden the family faces, 100% of the proceeds from the August 30 Special Event Ride benefit Oaklyn and her family,” said Scully. Resources are desperately needed for treatment, travel to and from the hospital, and living expenses. “A child fighting a life-threatening illness is the most inspiring person you’ll ever meet.”

The 50-mile ride begins and ends at Niko’s Red Mill Tavern, 1040 Lake Avenue in Woodstock, and is escorted by the McHenry County Sherriff’s Police Department with traffic control provided by the Woodstock Police Department. The EMS Roaddocs of Illinois will provide medical support during the ride and at the afterparty, and the Illinois Route 66 HOG Chapter will volunteer throughout the day. Day-of registration begins at 9:00am, with coffee and fruit, and breakfast pastries provided by Jarosch Bakery, 111 East Higgins Road, Elk Grove Village. The riders leave at 11am and return at 12:30pm for the after party which features a live band, cash bar, lunch buffet, bottled water, and dessert. Fund raising continues with a silent auction, box drawings, a gift card raffle, a 50/50 split the pot, t-shirts, and a visit with the LCC K9 Comfort Dogs.

Oaklyn will turn four on August 31. In celebration of this brave little warrior, everyone is encouraged to bring an unwrapped birthday gift. Oaklyn and Lacey will choose a few presents for her birthday and a few more for this upcoming Christmas. The rest will be donated to Oaklyn’s friends at Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Center. Everyone who participates in the birthday gift collection will be entered to win a $100 Lettuce Entertain You Gift Certificate. “Your kindness and generosity will bring hope and help Oaklyn’s family concentrate on helping her through this struggle,” said Scully. “Every parent dreams of their child running, laughing, and playing in the park; Let’s help Oaklyn return to that normal toddlerhood so many of us take for granted.”

Sponsors to date include Niko’s Red Mill Tavern of Woodstock; Woodstock Career Firefighter IAFF Union Local 4813; The Real Seal Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair of Schaumburg; Joseph R. Rominski, HOG Lawyer of Waukegan; D.J.’s Auto Body of Schaumburg; Pesche’s Flowers of Des Plaines; the Harber Family; the Haring family; the Mangan family; Mike Smith of SmithicAir in Bartlett; and JuliAnne’s Hair, Inc. of Roselle. The event has had an outpouring of individual support from Lacey’s daycare, Kids R Kids Learning Academy in Crystal Lake, the Woodstock Community, and the Teal Tribe who have been soliciting gift cards, raffle items, in-kind services, and money to support the event.

Registration is now open for the Sunday, August 30 Birthday Ride. The cost is $35 per rider/adult, and $20 for children ages 10 and under. Registration and/or donations are available via Venmo:

https://venmo.com/u/RideForHope-OvarianCancerAware

or email JuliAnne Scully, ocrideforhope2015@gmail.com