Bikers Ride for Cancer

The low roar of motorcycles could be heard throughout Akwesasne and surrounding areas last Saturday morning as over 100 bikers rode their bikes in the fourth-annual Ride for Cancer fundraiser poker run.

Starting at the Brass Horse Grill, the bikers rode to Nadeau’s in Massena, to the Riverside in Brasher on to The Jug in North Lawrence and back to the Brass Horse. At each stop, food, prizes and music awaited as well as a playing card for each rider to bring back to complete a poker hand. The best hand won $300, the second best, $150 and the worst, $50.

The fundraiser was started four years ago to benefit Charlene Cole who had been diagnosed with cancer. She lost her battle last year just before the third annual bike ride at age 55.

The ride continues in Char’s memory, as well as a fundraiser to benefit Tina’s Pride, Hope Lodge, Akwesasne Cancer Support Group, Massena Memorial Hospital’s Oncology Clinic, Fletcher Allen, and Ogdensburg Cancer Center. Another person that gets a donation is Normand Thibodeau, who just recently finished the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge. He cycled 192 miles in two days from Bourne, MA to Provincetown, MA. Thibodeau has committed to raise $4,300 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He rides for his mother who died from bone cancer at the age of 56. “I have been doing this ride for 14 years and the ride is very emotional,” explained Thibodeau who is an Akwesasne Mohawk Casino employee. This year he had a special experience when on the Friday before his ride he visited his mother’s grave. “I saw a hawk flying overhead when I was visiting my mother at the cemetery. On Sunday, the second day of my ride, I saw another hawk flying around and it flew down right in front of me. It then flew up in a tree and watched as I went by. I believe it was a message from my mother telling me to keep going and that I could do this.” Thibodeau continues to take online donations at https://www.pmc.org/egifts/NT0021.

The Shamans bike club led the ride as they have for the last three years. Tracy George, a Shaman member, has been doing the ride for all three. He rides for his mother who is currently in remission. “Our club consists of former and present EMTs and Fire Fighters. We also have a Remembrance Run each year where we pick a fire department in Franklin or St. Lawrence County to donate the money that we raise. This year’s ride will be on September 27th and will benefit the Bombay Fire Department. Next year we will pick a department in St. Lawrence County,” explained George.

The organizers of this event have been busy for the last four months planning all the activities during weekly meetings. The planning committee consisted of Janique Odjick, Lindsey White, Jami Goolden, Lacey McDonald and David Mainville. “Each year this event gets bigger and bigger,” according to Lindsey White. All the proceeds from the event get donated to the various organizations that provide cancer prevention, information, early detection and support.

Last year the bike ride generated $5,000. All the money raised by the registration and vendor fees, food sales, silent auction, admission and games is donated to the designated organizations. All the items for the silent auction are donated as well as all the food items which are prepared and cooked by the workers at the Brass Horse. Donations come from various donors such as food and beer companies, local businesses and sponsors from Akwesasne as well as Massena. Some of the vendors donate money from their sales as well as businesses such as Nadeau’s and The Jug.

Matt Francis won the “best hand” prize of $300 with a four of a kind. The second best hand prize of $150 went to Tracy Sunday while John Tupia took the worse hand prize of $50. Excessive Adrenaline Bike Club from Canton received $250 for bringing the most representation. $50 went to the Shamans Club for leading the ride.

“There is not one person that has not himself, a family member or a friend been untouched by cancer,” said organizer Janique Odjick. “Bikers usually get a bad rap but in reality we have big hearts, ride hard and enjoy it. Many of the riders today have lost someone to cancer and this is a great opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause that started with CharBiker. I would like thank everyone that helped make this event a success especially David Mainville and the Brass Horse Grill.” The event raised around $16,000.