Bikers ride for cancer patients

SOUTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - It was a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride and that's just what many bikers in Southampton did Sunday morning. They revved their engines and took off to support the Cancer House of Hope in Springfield and Westfield.

The dozens of bikers who pulled in to Southampton Harley-Davidson Sunday morning have two things in common: they love to ride, and they're passionate about giving back. All the funds raised at the 4th annual Poker Run go to the Cancer House of Hope, which supports patients free of charge during their fight against the disease.

“We're actually one of the only places that also services the family. As one of my counselors says, when one person gets cancer, the family gets cancer. Everybody is affected,” said Cheryl Gorski of the Cancer House of Hope.

This wasn't your average fundraiser ride,  the bikers made stops along the way to play cards. But it wasn't the friendly competition that drew them. They were there because the disease has impacted people they love.

“Lost my mom back in 2002 to ovarian cancer. My dad is a prostate cancer survivor. It's just something that's dear to my heart. Of course we want to support it,” said Jack Drawec of Pioneer Valley HOG.

Some bikers knew even better what it feels like to receive the devastating diagnosis.

“I was doing this ride anyway and then I came down with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I found out about it last week. Cancer runs in my family. My father had four kinds of cancer and my mother had breast cancer,” said Jane Lefkowitz of Berkshire Hills HOG.

And even with that heavy news on her mind, Jane still climbed on her bike, ready to ride. An example of hope-- something the Cancer House is all about.