Sixteen-year breast cancer survivor Brenda Ganong recently hosted the 12th annual Brenda’s Ride with Friends: Fighting Cancer One Mile at a Time. The day was a huge success, raising $10,000 to benefit oncology patients at Lakes Region General Hospital.
Brenda’s Ride started in 2003 with just 35 participants and has continued to grow over the years. Nearly a hundred motorcycles convened at the Weirs Beach Lobster Pound the morning of August 2, setting off for a beautiful ride to Waterville Valley. Lead by Alton and Gilford Police Department volunteers, the convoy arrived back at the Lobster Pound mid-day for a cookout, raffles, and live music courtesy of Matt Langley and the band AXIS.
“We were thrilled with the great support from our generous sponsors, all of the bikers who came for this year’s ride, and those friends who stopped by for the cookout and afternoon festivities. I am also incredibly thankful to the Lobster Pound and our amazing team of volunteers,” explains event founder/planner Brenda Ganong. “Brenda’s Ride continues to thrive, and knowing that we’re helping patients right here in our own community is very rewarding.”
Proceeds from Brenda’s Ride are used to assist oncology patients in a number of ways, to help lighten the financial burden during an already very tough time. Funds have been designated to:
- help with co-pays for ports (necessary to be put in so they can receive their drugs)
- assist with co-pays for prosthetics
- purchase gas cards and cab vouchers to get patients to appointments.
In one case, a recliner was purchased for one terminally-ill patient who could no longer sleep in a bed.
Brenda’s Ride welcomed several high-level supporters including $1,000 Gold Sponsor Winner’s Circle Auto Sales; $500 Silver Sponsors Brady Companies, Electrical Concepts, Fire and Iron Station 138, Looney Bin, Nick Roche Realty, and The Tamposi Family. In-kind donors included the band AXIS, Binnie Media, Body Covers, Crown Design, D’Andrea Foods, Gilbert Block, Great Eastern Radio, Laconia Harley-Davidson, Northeast Communications, Reinhart-Agar (Brad Preston), South Shore Quality Meats, Tylergraphics, Weirs Beach Lobster Pound, 1350 AM Radio, and Alton and Gilford police departments. Support also came from shirt sponsors and auction donations, and many businesses generously donated goods and services to the event.
“The staff and patients at LRGHealthcare are deeply grateful to Brenda and John Ganong and all of their friends and family who continue to make each Brenda’s Ride such a success,” states LRGHealthcare Vice President of Clinical Services Marge Kerns. “The folks at the Lobster Pound always go above and beyond for this event. Brenda has the most big-hearted friends, and LRGHealthcare is very fortunate to be the beneficiary and a part of this great day,” says Kerns.