CULLMAN – A beautiful blue sky, gentle breeze and plenty of sunshine greeted those two wheel and three wheeled riders to the inaugural Cullman County Bosom Buddies Foundation Bike Ride, hosted at the Donald Green Senior Center.
“We wanted to raise money to help those residents here in Cullman,” Mary Dyer, CCBB Foundation President said. “We figured why not have a bike ride.”
Unlike fundraisers in years past, Dyer said the funds raised through the bike ride will go to help locals who are currently battling cancer.
“I can say 100 percent of the proceeds will stay local and will go to help those who are undergoing cancer treatments, no matter the type of cancer,” she said. “I can also say that no one will be getting paid with money donated to the organization, and the bylaws we are drafting ensure no one will ever be paid. Donations are for those who sincerely need it.”
Started in 1994 as a support group for those who’d suffered from breast cancer, over the years the group has grown to include all forms of cancer into their outreach efforts. Dyer, a breast cancer survivor, said times are difficult enough when you’re dealing with cancer, but to have to worry about paying basic bills each month can be enough to breakdown the strongest willed person.
“It’s hard enough having to get up, go to treatment, and try to focus on getting better. But when you have to worry about if your lights will be cut off or if you’ll be able to pay for groceries, it just becomes too much to handle,” she said. “That’s why we are here. To help relieve those outside pressures which keep people focused on the wrong things instead of healing.”
The bike ride saw more than 120 bikers, which in return help to raise a lot of money. Official count was not in at the time of press. Please visit cullmansense.com for more information.
For more information on CCBB or if you’d like to make a donation, contact Mary Dyer at 256-734-8729.
This story was originally published in the July 1, 2013 issue of the CullmanSense print edition
