|
by John Leptich
The Easy Valley Tribune
December 7, 2005 - A Valley-based women's motorcycle club
plans to donate $10,000 today to Scottsdale's
Arizona Institute for Breast Health. The funds
will help provide free second opinions to women
diagnosed with breast cancer.
The Gypsy Riders, a chapter of Women on Wheels of
Greater Phoenix, raised the money last month at its
inaugural bikers ball. The nonprofit institute
at 8994 E. Desert Cove Road works to help women
with breast cancer make better-informed decisions.
The group teamed with the institute in February
after one of its younger members, Deidra Vann of
Phoenix, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her
surgeon discussed a procedure Vann didn't feel
comfortable with. A second opinion through
institute doctors revealed an option Vann and
her doctor finally agreed on.
"Raising the money we did for our first endeavor
was great," Vann said. "Our members and others
really came together. The Institute gave me
choices I didn't know about, and things worked
out for me so I'm a survivor."
Chris Bell, Gypsy Riders' founder and director,
said members took up Vann's cause quickly.
"We wanted to help our fallen member and we
realize that in our age group (30-50) that
there may be others diagnosed with the disease
in the future who will work with AIBH," Bell said.
"The best thing is that this money helps women right
here in Arizona. We want to keep raising money for
this cause and help women in Scottsdale and
around the Valley."
The Gypsy Riders have teamed with custom
motorcycle builder Ed Whittley of Firebird
Custom Choppers in Apache Junction to design
and raffle off a chopper called Survivor.
Christine Lessard, director of the institute,
said she's pleased that Gypsy Riders chose to back her group.
"It doesn't surprise me that biker women would
do this," Lessard said. "Breast cancer doesn%u2019t
discriminate. We work with women and let them meet
with a patient advocate, who is a 10-year survivor,
to discuss the options available to them."
A maximum of 5,000 tickets for Survivor will be sold
for $20 each, with proceeds benefiting the institute.
The winner will be selected April 9, 2006, to
coincide with ceremonies at Arizona Bike Week.
|
