Transportation to Treatment scenic ride raises more than $5K
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JACKSON, Tenn. — The Kirkland Cancer Treatment Center in Jackson serves patients from all over West Tennessee, and on Saturday cyclists rode in support of the Transportation to Treatment Fund. The route often traveled by cancer patients was a part of three different courses throughout Madison, Gibson and Crockett counties for the Transportation to Treatment Inaugural Scenic Ride fundraiser. There were 75 cyclists who biked either 30, 62 or 100 miles through rain and shine. “Cancer affects us all. It’s probably touched us all, every single person, in some form or fashion,” David Piercey, a century rider, said. “You know, especially for those who cannot afford it or have difficulty paying for such things, it’s just a good way to give people what they need.” “The Kirkland Cancer Center Advisory Board, a group under the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation, was looking for a unique fundraiser to help raise money for cancer patients who can’t afford to get back and forth to treatment,” WTHC Foundation Vice President Beth Koffman said. “A bike ride fit nicely with transportation. It’s not something that’s usually done in this area very much.” The cyclists were able to stop at different rest stops along the way, all with the same goal in mind — to help the families that fight harder battles each day. “A lot of times those treatments, especially radiation treatments, will occur every single day during the week,” Koffman said. “If they live an hour or more away, that’s five trips, two-plus hours a day, and so it can become a financial burden for those families.” The scenic ride raised more than $5,000 for the transportation fund.
