Friday, December 16, 2011

Nonprofit raising funds for kids with cancer

The inaugural Yuma Children's Ride to benefit local children with cancer will be held Saturday.

?The money raised at this first event will go to the children and their families in order to pay for treatment costs, food, bills, etc,? said Robert Neufeld, a member of the Bikers Fighting Cancer motorcycle club, which is organizing the event.

?One hundred percent of all donated money goes to the children and their families. We are attempting to collect not only monetary donations, but also gift certificates for food, gas and services which companies could render.?

The poker run will begin at 8 a.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings, 1317 South Yuma Palms Parkway. A $10 fee is required to participate in the run.

After the completion of the run, festivities will continue from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the Pop-a-Top Saloon, located in the Palm Plaza at 2241 South Avenue A. The event will feature live music, a barbecue, a bikini bike car wash, a bounce house and family entertainment.

BFC is a nonprofit charitable organization of motorcycle enthusiasts dedicated to helping children with cancer. Its mission is to provide financial assistance, emotional support, and help cancer victims with the healing process.

BFC helps parents who must put their jobs on hold to be at their child's side during the treatment of the disease by providing emotional support and financial help. They pay past-due utility bills and expenses not covered by insurance such as deductibles, co-pays and non-covered items.

?Not only is the treatment very costly, but the treatment can only take place in Phoenix and Tucson, as Yuma does not have a treatment facility for children,? Neufeld said.

BFC has chapters in Washington, Oregon, California and now in Arizona. The Yuma BFC chapter currently has about six members.

BFC raises money through donations and product sales. They sell T-shirts, hats, pins, small support patches. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of these items goes to helping children afflicted with cancer.

The money raised is not given directly to hospitals, but is spent on whatever the child and their family need by the BFC.

Families are not referred to BFC by hospitals due to privacy laws, so the group relies on word of mouth to find those in need.

Once BFC is made aware of a child in need, they contact the family who must then pass a screening process to receive aid.

The Yuma chapter is currently looking for new members. They allow both men and women to join regardless of what make and model of motorcycle they drive.

Membership is $100 per year in addition to the initial cost of the patches, which is approximately $60. Married couples receive a discount.

For more information call 360-441-7209 or log onto bikersfightingcancer.org.

Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.

Source: http://www.yumasun.com/news/bfc-75209-children-cancer.html

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