Every year, rain or shine, snow, sleet, or hail – we ride for someone in need.
The worst ride was the best ride because you really felt like you
were doing something.
- Lenny DeWolfe
Ride Like the Wind
Michelle ‘Mo’ Ostrowsky (November 9, 1967 – November 7,
1999)
If any words hit you like a ton of bricks–I have cancer are ones that I hope to never hear again. It began late 1997, early 1998 when she found her first lump. But Michelle was a spitfire & her words were – I am going to kick this in the butt and that was her attitude through it all. She touched so many lives, each in a different way, that when she said that she wanted to have a motorcycle ride–friends and family in less than 2 months put together the first ever Kick Cancer in the Butt ride in 1998. Over 200 bikes were there on that sunny 76° October day. Because of the turnout and support, it was decided that this ride would be an annual event and that it would benefit a local person, where people could actually see and meet the person that they were so willing to help. But in early 1999, I heard those words again – I have cancer, and its pretty bad this time, but don’t worry because I am going to kick this in the butt again. When we wanted to have another ride for Michelle, she said NO WAY! Do it for someone else and promise me that every year, you will ride for someone in need. That was Michelle. Even on her worst days, she wanted no pity; she would rather know how you were doing than talk about herself. Our second ride, October 1999, benefited Monica LaBar, a teenager with Leukemia. It turned out to be a rainy, damp day, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the riders who turned out to help. Michelle passed away on November 7, 1999; two days before her 32nd birthday. It was decided that our third ride, our 1st memorial ride in October 2000, would benefit Harley Ostrowsky, Michelle’s daughter. This was the coldest ride yet–sleet and rain; but we rode for Michelle and Harley.
Monica graduated from Tunkhannock High School on June 4, 2004 and worked during the summer for Attorney Catherine Garbus doing title searches. She recently started Marywood University as a Physician's Assistant major in the 5 year PA Program.
In August 2004, Monica was 5 years out of Treatment and continues to be in good solid remission. She passed her check up at Hershey Medical Center & will go back once a year for a checkup.
Update 2007:
Monica has been cancer free 9 years!!! She is currently a senior at Marywood University majoring in Nutrition & Dietetics. She is also working part time at Reese Florists in Tunkhannock. Monica & her boyfriend recently bought a house where they like to spend time with their 2 dogs: a two year old Golden Retriever, Kamen & a nine week old Chocolate Lab, Blu.
April 3, 1996
Even though Harley did not have cancer, we decided to have the 1st memorial ride to benefit her and to honor her mother for her courageous fight with cancer. Harley was Michelle’s life. She was the reason Michelle fought so hard to beat cancer. Even though Michelle is not physically with her, Harley knows & feels Michelle’s presence with her everyday. Michelle believed in angels and I know that she is Harley’s angel.
The October 2001 ride was to benefit this young boy with cancer.
Update 2007:
Holt is now in the 6th grade!!! He is very active in sports, loves to ride dirtbikes & snowmobiles, likes to hang out with his friends, and really enjoys school. He also likes to show his Pigs at State Fairs & even has been to National Events!! Congrats Holt!
He still visits the doctors a couple of times a year for checkups, but has shown no signs of reoccurrence.
July 12, 2001
Diagnosed: July 16, 2002 with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.
Abigail responded very well to chemotherapy and was in remission after one
week of treatment. Even though Abigail is doing well her treatment will still
continue over the next two years. She is continuing to do well and has a very
good prognosis, 85-90% cure rate. Abigail loves the outdoors and spending
time with her two dogs Maya and Tilly.Abby is doing very well. It has been
two years since her diagnosis and according to her dad She is trucking right
along. She is still having her regular check ups.
Lisa, 36, is a special education teacher at GAR High School. She is battling
terminal cancer. Over two years ago, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer
and has undergone surgeries, chemotherapy, and is now undergoing radiation
treatments. Because of all the treatments, Lisa now has extensive medical
bills. She no longer has her medical insurance as it has reached its lifetime
maximum benefits. As Sue Unvarsky, Lisa’s friend, said “She loves
the unlovable and she teaches the unteachable. Lisa is an angel with a heartbeat”.
Lisa Blaum lost her battle with cancer shortly after the ride, on October 21, 2003.
Andrea was first diagnosed in October 2000 with Adenois Cystic Carcinoma, a rare form of cancer that most commonly develops in the areas of the head & neck.
This day was probably one of the worst & best days of her life. She had just found out that she had cancer; but also had met her future husband, Stan, that very same day. He told her that if there was anything that he could do for her, he would - and he meant it.
Andrea had her saliva glands out & then started radiation treatments. During this time, lesions were found on her liver, but turned out not to be cancerous. Then she finished treatments and the doctors thought that she was in remission.
In September of 2002, Stan proposed to Andrea and they started planning a wedding for 2004. Then, in 2003, the doctors found cancer in her liver and during the spring of 2004, before Andrea's July wedding, the doctors told her that the cancer had spread to her lungs. The options and the outcomes that she was given from the doctors was not hopeful. Recently, while seeking another opinion, she found a new treatment that could be tried at the University of Maryland's Green Baum Cancer Center. Andrea will be the 1st patient with her type of cancer to receive this new treatment, which could greatly extend Andrea's life.
Andrea & Stan were married on July 7, 2004. They live in Mehoopany with his two children, Jacob & Stanley. Andrea is shy & quiet, but also sweet &
fun loving who loves crafts, snowmobiles, motorcycles, & activities with the children.
Nikki and her family have seen the devistation of cancer when Nikki's father lost his battle six years ago to the disease.
On December 9, 2004, only 5 days after getting married to Philip Hertzog, Nikki suffered a seizure. She was then diagnosed with a brain tumor. Currently, Nikki is undergoing Chemotherapy and will continue for 6 more months.
Nikki, a native of Nicholson, is currently volunteering her time & love of horses at an equestrian therapy riding stable assisting handicapped children.
Ron Harvey
Ron's life drastically changed in January of 2006 when he fell on some ice. The doctor thought that he had a back sprain that wouldn't go away, so Ron was sent for an MRI.
He was then diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in March. It is in his bones, lungs, & many other places in his body. He has had 10 radiation treatments & is doing a portacal at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. It will last 18 weeks with 36 chemo treatments & 6 weeks of shots.
Ron, 58, lives in Meshoppen with his wife of 20 years, Linda. He is a father of 6 - stepfather of 2 - grandfather of 18. He loves to fish and loves to play his guitar & sing at church, nursing homes, & at the jail with his Pastor Gary Myers. He is a man of strong faith who needs our prayers & this ride to help him and his family through this time.
Update 2007:
Ron lost his battle with cancer on February 2, 2007.
Kara Cook
This precious little girl was born on March 14, 2006. At only 9 days old, she underwent open heart surgery because she was born with Congential Heart Disease. Then, less than a year letter, she was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a series of brain tumors that are found in the cerebellum (found at the lower back of the brain and it is the part of the brain that controls movemement, balance, & posture.)
Kara & her family have been traveling to Philadelphia for treatments. She started her first chemo treatment on June 19th and will finish her 5th & last treatment mid October. She will then have 7 maintenance treatments, ending sometime next year.
No child should have to fight this - please help us help her & her family in this fight against cancer.
Pray for a Miracle
Jimmy Johnson and Mike McClain
This year's ride is to benefit Jimmy Johnson and Mike McClain.
Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson, a native of Nicholson, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in July 2007. Jimmy & his wife, Mary, travel once a month to Duke University in North Carolina to receive treatments.
Mike McClain
Mike McClain was diagnosed in October 2007 with an agressive prostate cancer. His Gleason Score (used to help evaluate the prognosis of men with prostate cancer) was a 5 and he was in stage 3 cancer. He has had 42 treatments of Radiation Therapy at the VA Medical Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Mike will also receive a hormone depletion shot every three (3) months for 2 years.
On August 21st, Mike went to Philadelphia for his three month check up, but was unable to get his PSA (Prostate specific antigen) done due to an infection in his leg. This infection was causing a severe rash on his entire body because his immune system is so depressed due to radiation therapy. Because of this, they were unable to determine if Mike is in remission, however, the doctors did not feel anything during the physical examination.
It has been a slow road to recovery for Mike. He has experienced several side effects from treatments, some will stay with him for the rest of his life. Besides the suffering, he has lost over 50 pounds, can only work part time, & tires and weakens easily. On top of all this, his depression grows as him & his wife, Betty, struggle financially.
Please keep both Jimmy & Mike in your thoughts & prayers as they both struggle through this journey.
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