AUBURN - Nearly one hundred motorcyclists drove the point home to family and friends of Stephen Siracusa Sunday. They made it clear that they were there to help the soon-to-be junior of Port Byron High School move forward toward a cure for his affliction.
They also added another traveler to their procession along the way.
As Siracusa waited at the edge of town to see the bikers approach Auburn, after their trek looped them down along Owasco Lake, back up along Cayuga Lake to return to the city, Auburn Police officer Mark Locastro asked him if he would care to join them.
As onlookers cheered from the entrance to the fundraiser location, the Ukrainian Club, the group, preceded by the siren of Locastro's cruiser escorting them, approached in a roaring line three blocks long, and two lanes wide “These (fundraising rides) are great,” said Locastro as he
directed traffic. “The last trailblazer has Stephen in it.”
Sure enough, moments later Siracusa arrived inside, sharing smiles and laughter with those there to greet him.
“I'm excited for the trip (to Mexico),” said Siracusa, sitting at the front raffle ticket table. “For everyone who came and donated, I thank you.”
Diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia at age 12, Siracusa has seen the deterioration of his motor skills and ability to walk during the last 5 years. He awaits an experimental treatment in the country of Mexico scheduled for late August, with the hope his disability will be cured.
“We're hoping it gets him back to normal,” said his father, Stephen Siracusa, who plans to accompany his son there.
“A woman that had it done already -Stephen e-mails her back and forth, and it has been successful for her.”
As owner of Steve's Motorcycle in Port Byron, Siracusa's father called on customers and friends to participate, by registering a donation, in the “Between the Lakes Motorcycle Ride.” He was thankful for the overwhelming support.
“It was great -I loved it,” said cyclist, and Siracusa's grandfather, Dennis Hadcock, of Weedsport. “This is fantastic. Everyone sticks together, and if you need anything, they're there for you,” he added, of his fellow bikers.
Carl Harvey, of Auburn, was glad to join the ride. “Definitely. You have to help,” he said. “It's got to raise his spirits a lot to see somebody cares.”
As someone who has organized fundraisers in the area for 20 years -and has been the recipient of one himself- Art Wenzel explained that such events do more than just raise money -they raise spirits. While local merchants donated tables full of merchandise for auction and raffling for the fundraiser, and Dunkin Donuts supplied donuts for the bikers prior to their leaving the Auburn Elks Lodge for the two hour ride, emotional support is the real success quotient, he said.
“It's empowering. It can ease their pain for a while,” he said, between acting as master of ceremonies of the event. “It's empowering because they make it through the whole day, often when they expect to only stay a couple of hours. The positive energy flow from all the people, and the love: all the money doesn't mean as much.”A true example, was Stephen himself, who was obviously enjoying himself, despite being an avid Yankees fan.
“They're about the same,” he said, resigning himself to the season thus far with a grin. “Aw#(they'll be alright.”
When not watching baseball, he is a dedicated player of video games. He may even turn the interest into a career.
“I was thinking about making video games. There's a college in Florida I was looking at. They specialize in that,” Sircusa said.
Contributions to help make the trip to Mexico for treatment possible can be made to Sircusa's aunt at: “Stephen Siracusa Fund” c/o Fran Mastropietro. 312 Clark Street, Auburn, N.Y. 13021.
“He's very positive with this treatment coming on. He can't wait for it -he's very positive,” said his grandmother, Tecla Siracusa.
As Siracusa waited at the edge of town to see the bikers approach Auburn, after their trek looped them down along Owasco Lake, back up along Cayuga Lake to return to the city, Auburn Police officer Mark Locastro asked him if he would care to join them.
As onlookers cheered from the entrance to the fundraiser location, the Ukrainian Club, the group, preceded by the siren of Locastro's cruiser escorting them, approached in a roaring line three blocks long, and two lanes wide “These (fundraising rides) are great,” said Locastro as he
directed traffic. “The last trailblazer has Stephen in it.”
Sure enough, moments later Siracusa arrived inside, sharing smiles and laughter with those there to greet him.
“I'm excited for the trip (to Mexico),” said Siracusa, sitting at the front raffle ticket table. “For everyone who came and donated, I thank you.”
Diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia at age 12, Siracusa has seen the deterioration of his motor skills and ability to walk during the last 5 years. He awaits an experimental treatment in the country of Mexico scheduled for late August, with the hope his disability will be cured.
“We're hoping it gets him back to normal,” said his father, Stephen Siracusa, who plans to accompany his son there.
“A woman that had it done already -Stephen e-mails her back and forth, and it has been successful for her.”
As owner of Steve's Motorcycle in Port Byron, Siracusa's father called on customers and friends to participate, by registering a donation, in the “Between the Lakes Motorcycle Ride.” He was thankful for the overwhelming support.
“It was great -I loved it,” said cyclist, and Siracusa's grandfather, Dennis Hadcock, of Weedsport. “This is fantastic. Everyone sticks together, and if you need anything, they're there for you,” he added, of his fellow bikers.
Carl Harvey, of Auburn, was glad to join the ride. “Definitely. You have to help,” he said. “It's got to raise his spirits a lot to see somebody cares.”
As someone who has organized fundraisers in the area for 20 years -and has been the recipient of one himself- Art Wenzel explained that such events do more than just raise money -they raise spirits. While local merchants donated tables full of merchandise for auction and raffling for the fundraiser, and Dunkin Donuts supplied donuts for the bikers prior to their leaving the Auburn Elks Lodge for the two hour ride, emotional support is the real success quotient, he said.
“It's empowering. It can ease their pain for a while,” he said, between acting as master of ceremonies of the event. “It's empowering because they make it through the whole day, often when they expect to only stay a couple of hours. The positive energy flow from all the people, and the love: all the money doesn't mean as much.”A true example, was Stephen himself, who was obviously enjoying himself, despite being an avid Yankees fan.
“They're about the same,” he said, resigning himself to the season thus far with a grin. “Aw#(they'll be alright.”
When not watching baseball, he is a dedicated player of video games. He may even turn the interest into a career.
“I was thinking about making video games. There's a college in Florida I was looking at. They specialize in that,” Sircusa said.
Contributions to help make the trip to Mexico for treatment possible can be made to Sircusa's aunt at: “Stephen Siracusa Fund” c/o Fran Mastropietro. 312 Clark Street, Auburn, N.Y. 13021.
“He's very positive with this treatment coming on. He can't wait for it -he's very positive,” said his grandmother, Tecla Siracusa.
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.