LEWISTON — Dozens of motorcyclists will take part in the fifth annual Sandy’s Ride Cancer Sucks 2014 on Saturday, July 19.
It will begin at L-A Harley-Davidson at 839 Main St.
This year’s ride will benefit Jay police Chief Larry White Sr. of Jay, who is battling pancreatic cancer, organizer Jay Nadeau of Winthrop said. White is a veteran of law enforcement.
“We’re going to start registration at 1 p.m.,” Nadeau said.
Donations of $15 per bike and $5 for passengers will be accepted.
Motorcyclists will leave the dealership at 4 p.m. and drive a 90-minute route that returns to L-A Harley-Davidson. They will be accompanied by a police escort.
After the ride, there will be a barbecue for all registrants, Nadeau said.
People who do not ride can pay $15 to attend the barbecue.
They will hold a raffle for about 80 items and a 50/50 raffle.
“We will have the music band Audio Vibe playing and we will have a 10-foot movie screen to play footage from past rides and some inspiration videos, as well as a thank-you video for our supporters,” Nadeau said.
White, also the Jay fire chief, was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer in January. He has worked in law enforcement for 32 years. He served with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department in Auburn and Livermore Falls Police Department before becoming a Jay police officer in 1987. He worked his way up to sergeant and became chief in 2002.
Learning he had cancer turned his life upside down, White said earlier this year.
“It was a shock,” he said.
He had gone to the doctor for six months with issues that were thought to be related to his diabetes.
“My sugar was out of whack,” he previously said.
His doctor tried to adjust the insulin but it didn’t work. He started having stomach cramps and was doubling over in pain at work.
When White told the doctor he could not stand it anymore, more tests were ordered. He was notified Jan. 7 that he had cancer.
He and his wife, Janice, soon were off to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia for radiation and chemotherapy. After months of treatment there, he began treatment in Maine.
“We’re going to beat it,” White said in February. “I’m going to fight like hell. I never gave up on anything. I’ve never run from anything and I’m not running from this. I have a lot of hope and courage, and I intend to come back to my job.”
White is hoping to attend the benefit, according to his post on Facebook. He is on medical leave.
Sandy’s Ride Cancer Sucks began in October 2010 to help a young woman named Sandy who was battling colon cancer. The ride occurs each year to benefit someone with cancer.
dperry@sunjournal.com
-
- Larry White Sr.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
