Join the Law Tigers, and Ride for Hope/Ovarian Cancer Awareness for the Stary Family Benefit on Dec. 3, to raise funds and support the cancer treatment for Kris Stary.
Ride for Hope is a non-profit started by motorcyclist and ovarian cancer survivor JuliAnne Scully in 2015. Since then, the organization has raised thousands of dollars to support families, raise awareness, and ease the financial burden women and their families face when diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“When I was a 25 year survivor of ovarian cancer, I bought my 1st motorcycle,” Scully said. “I always enjoyed participating in charity events on the back seat of my husband’s bike. It was only a month or so of riding on my own, I realized there is a great way to pay it forward and help others understand about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer since there are no tests to detect this. We are now on our 9th annual Ride for Hope!! We raise money for local women battling ovarian and gynecological cancers with financial hardships.”
Ride for Hope Supports Women on Their Cancer Journey
Ride for Hope holds several fundraisers during the year, including their annual summer event and ride. In 2024, the ride will be July 14. During the year, Ride for Hope raises monies and awareness through Girls Night Out, Dine to Donate, and a Motorcycle Blessing on May 4, 2024. The group also partners with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and has raised more than $100,000 to date for this group.
“At our summer event, we ride approximately 50+ miles escorted by county and local police through the backroads and scenic parts of our areas,” Scully explained. “We ride back to one of the best biker parties of the summer. Fabulous food, sweets, box drawings, silent auction items, wine pulls, signing of our 7ft. giant Teal Cancer ribbon and the comfort dogs from LCMS. We also rock out to a live band. It truly is one of the best parties of the summer. In the past we have had more than 800 attendees, including over 400 bikers.”
Each woman’s journey with ovarian cancer is unique, and diagnosing it is difficult, Scully said. Kris Stary received an initial diagnosis of ovarian cancer, but doctors discovered through testing she has Uerothelial Carcinoma Cancer. Scully says fundraising efforts to support her journey were already underway, and Ride for Hope is still providing support to the Stary family through the Dec. 3 benefit, because, as Scully put it, “Cancer isn’t fair.”
“This is when the community steps up to help support a fellow community member,” Scully said. “It’s about a woman who for years teaches kids and prepares them for life, gets kicked in the ass with a cancer diagnosis, turns her life upside down and needs all the prayers and support possible, as does her family. It shows Ride for Hope’s support for this woman in our community, and our commitment to helping women suffering from cancer.
“To turn our ribbon for the Urothelial cancer color is incredible. I hope all the community supports and attends the Stary Family Benefit on Dec 3, 2023 at Moretti’s in Bartlett. Tickets can be purchased at https://starybenefit.eventbrite.com. Our big live auction item is a Bernedoodle puppy!!”
Benefit for Kris Stary Dec. 3 in Bartlett, IL
The benefit runs from 1-5 p.m. on Dec. 3 at the Bartlett location of Moretti’s Restaurant, 1175 W. Lake St., Bartlett, IL. Tickets are $35+fees for those 11 years and older, and $20 for those under 10 years. All monies go to support the Stary family. There will be live music by Bronson Rock, raffles, a silent auction, cash bar and food. And Santa may make a surprise appearance, so bring your holiday wish list. Cards in support of Kris’ journey are greatly appreciated as well. Register for the event here.
Ovarian cancer ranks 5th in cancer deaths among women, and rates are highest in women ages 55-64. Approximately 20,000 women a year are diagnosed, with only 15% of those cases diagnosed at Stage 1. Scully said women should be diligent in listening to their bodies, and knowing the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer are important to receiving an early diagnosis. “Diagnosing ovarian cancer is very difficult because there isn’t a scan or blood test available,” she said. “Often a misdiagnosis occurs because the symptoms are very generic such as bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, feeling the need to urinate frequently, and fatigue.
“My advice is to listen to your body. If you don’t feel well for longer than two weeks get checked out by your doctor,” Scully said. “If you don’t like what that doctor says, get another opinion. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE. It’s hard to stay positive, but you have to. Have faith & pray and surround yourself with people who support you and care.”
Want to contribute, but cannot attend the event? You can donate on the Ride for Hope website. Volunteers are always welcomed and needed for various events, and sponsors provide needed support for all events, and are gratefully accepted, Scully said.
The Law Tigers are Committed to Protecting Riders
Sign up for the Law Tigers FREE Rider Benefit Kit and immediately enjoy information on motorcycle matters, no-recovery, no-fee motorcycle accident representation, and other important benefits.
