AUBURN - Not even a rainy, dreary day could keep dedicated riders away from promoting awareness of breast cancer and support for its survivors.
Harleys and Hondas fired up together Sunday to begin a parade with pink ribbons fluttering in the autumn wind, escorted by police cruisers and joined by individuals from all over the Auburn area, including Cayuga County Legislator David Axton.
The fourth annual Rise and Ride motorcycle parade pulled out from Harley's bar on State Street, starting a route intended to take them around Owasco Lake. Following the parade was a party at Harley's, with food from JB's Bar and Grill and a performance by the band Alibi.
Sponsored by RISE, the event's goal was to raise awareness about breast cancer, but also to provide a means of thanking the tireless support of bikers and other volunteers who dedicate themselves to assisting various RISE events.
Stacey Petrosino, the founder of RISE and a five-time cancer survivor herself, expressed immense gratitude for all those who helped with the events, including Donna Brazee, who Petrosino says “has helped me with every single RISE event, she really is completely selfless.” Volunteer work and donations are the lifeblood of awareness groups like RISE, and Petrosino maintained that nothing could happen without their dedication and hard work.
While the weather did have an impact on total turnout, the cool air and misty rain could not keep away all the riders. Petrosino pointed out that, “a lot of people don't ride in the rain, but we've got the diehards out here, ready for this ride.”
The mood wasn't dampened at all, with nothing but smiles as the riders prepared for their journey toward the lake. Plans are already being made for next year's Rise and Ride, tentatively scheduled to take place Sept. 5, 2009.
The Rise and Ride parade also serves as a precursor to RISE's annual Rise and Walk event, to be held Sunday, Oct. 5, in downtown Auburn. Rise and Walk serves as the group's main fundraising event, and seeks to spread knowledge and hope for those suffering from breast cancer or those who have lost loved ones to it.
“The point is to show that you can live through this, that you can survive, but it also preserves the memory and honor of people we've lost,” Petrosino said.
RISE accepts any donations at their charity events in an effort to bring together anyone and everyone with concerns about breast cancer. They want the focus to be on spreading hope and knowledge, not on personal finances.
“People can give whatever they can,” she said adamantly. “The real purpose is to get together and show support.”
The fourth annual Rise and Ride motorcycle parade pulled out from Harley's bar on State Street, starting a route intended to take them around Owasco Lake. Following the parade was a party at Harley's, with food from JB's Bar and Grill and a performance by the band Alibi.
Sponsored by RISE, the event's goal was to raise awareness about breast cancer, but also to provide a means of thanking the tireless support of bikers and other volunteers who dedicate themselves to assisting various RISE events.
Stacey Petrosino, the founder of RISE and a five-time cancer survivor herself, expressed immense gratitude for all those who helped with the events, including Donna Brazee, who Petrosino says “has helped me with every single RISE event, she really is completely selfless.” Volunteer work and donations are the lifeblood of awareness groups like RISE, and Petrosino maintained that nothing could happen without their dedication and hard work.
While the weather did have an impact on total turnout, the cool air and misty rain could not keep away all the riders. Petrosino pointed out that, “a lot of people don't ride in the rain, but we've got the diehards out here, ready for this ride.”
The mood wasn't dampened at all, with nothing but smiles as the riders prepared for their journey toward the lake. Plans are already being made for next year's Rise and Ride, tentatively scheduled to take place Sept. 5, 2009.
The Rise and Ride parade also serves as a precursor to RISE's annual Rise and Walk event, to be held Sunday, Oct. 5, in downtown Auburn. Rise and Walk serves as the group's main fundraising event, and seeks to spread knowledge and hope for those suffering from breast cancer or those who have lost loved ones to it.
“The point is to show that you can live through this, that you can survive, but it also preserves the memory and honor of people we've lost,” Petrosino said.
RISE accepts any donations at their charity events in an effort to bring together anyone and everyone with concerns about breast cancer. They want the focus to be on spreading hope and knowledge, not on personal finances.
“People can give whatever they can,” she said adamantly. “The real purpose is to get together and show support.”
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