Seventeen-year breast cancer survivor Brenda Ganong recently hosted the 13th annual Brenda’s Ride with Friends: Fighting Cancer One Mile at a Time. The day was a great success, raising $10,000 for the Oncology Department at LRGHealthcare.
On the morning of August 15, 151 motorcyclists left Faro Italian Grille together, setting off for a beautiful ride to Waterville Valley, returning mid-day for a cookout, raffles, and live music courtesy of Matt Langley and the band Axis. Funds raised from Brenda’s Ride are designated to the Oncology Department at LRGH to assist local patients battling cancer by offering a helping hand with things that may cause a financial burden, ranging from a gas card to a reclining chair to assistance with a utility bill.
“Brenda and John Ganong and their friends and family have had a remarkable impact on countless patients over the years,” states LRGHealthcare Vice President of Clinical Support Services Marge Kerns. “They have touched so many, and it shows on this one special day each year.”
LRGHealthcare Annual Fund and Special Events Manager Becky Doherty adds, “Brenda has also inspired others in our community. A month or so ago we received a stack of checks from a local couple, Scott and Julie Hayward, who recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Instead of traditional gifts, the Hayward’s family and friends made donations to the Brenda’s Ride fund in their honor – totaling more than $1,300!
“The staff, nurses, and doctors in the Oncology Department are near and dear to Scott and Julie and her mom Alice, as Julie’s late father Donald Smith received his care here at LRGH. So this was such a thoughtful way to honor the happy couple and Mr. Smith, support other patients, and pay tribute to our Oncology staff.”
The 2015 Brenda’s Ride welcomed several high-level supporters, including $1,000 Gold Sponsor Winner’s Circle Auto Sales; $500 Silver Sponsors Brady Companies, Fire and Iron Station 138, The Looney Bin, Nick, and Roche Realty; and in-kind donors Alton Police Department, Axis, Binnie Media, Body Covers, Crown Design, D’Andrea Foods, Faro Italian Grille, Gilbert Block, Gilford Police Department, Northeast Radio Group, South Shore Quality Meats, The Hawk 104.9, Tylergraphics, and Waterville Valley. Support also came from Shirt Sponsors and auction donations.
LRGHealthcare is a not-for-profit healthcare charitable trust representing Lakes Region General Hospital, Franklin Regional Hospital, and affiliated medical providers. LRGHealthcare’s mission is to provide quality, compassionate care and to strengthen the well-being of our community.