Snow’s Motorcycle Ride Raises $15,000 For Cancer Research
June 14, 2004
By: Aaron Williams
Even the occasional rain couldn’t put a damper on the spirit of hundreds of bikers, and hundreds more WWE fans, who turned out for Al Snow’s benefit to help raise awareness and money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Called “Donna’s Ride,” in honor of Snow’s sister who passed away from leukemia a few years ago, the fundraiser generated $15,000 to help find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, all blood-related cancers.
Several WWE Superstars volunteered their time to help raise money for the charity. Victoria, Ivory, Lilian Garcia, A-Train, Eugene, Chuck Palumbo, Nidia, Val Venis and Garrison Cade all rode with Al on the motorcycle ride from Mason, Ohio to Beavercreek, just outside Dayton. In addition to these Superstars, Stevie Richards, Kane, Rob Conway, Tyson Tomko, Sylvain Grenier, Edge, Molly Holly, Hurricane, Rosey, Batista, Matt Hardy and Lita signed autographs and participating in auctions that raised thousands more dollars.
The event was the brainchild of Snow, who has always made it a point to give back to his community whenever he can. An avid biker himself, he figured organizing the ride would be the perfect way to help out while honoring his sister.
“Donna was a wonderful, caring person, and it was a shame that she contracted this horrible disease that took her from us so early,” he said. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t around as much as I wanted to be when she was suffering from leukemia. She was very strong and battled for a very long time, and it even went into remission for a while but it came back and came back with a vengeance and that’s when it took her from us. I wasn’t there when she passed away because I was traveling for work. I couldn’t be there for here then, but hopefully, I can honor her passing.
“It’s my belief that everything happens for a reason. I really can’t figure it out, but I’m hoping that the money we raised will help fund the research that will help find the cure for this disease. Then, my sister’s passing will have meaning and a real benefit for everyone.”
Information about leukemia and other blood-related cancers, and how you can help find a cure, can be found at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Web site, LLS.org. For those in the Southern Ohio area, the local chapter will be having two fundraising walks in September. Details can also be found on the organization’s Web site.
Many people contributed to the success of the ride.
Mary Bull of Aces & Eights Harley Davidson in Mason, Rich “The Lube Guy” from Quaker Steak & Lube, and Dennis Smitson put in considerable time and effort to make sure things ran smoothly. Aces & Eights, Buckminn’s Harley Davidson, Quaker Steak & Lube as well as Moore’s Fitness and Kilkare Speedway all sponsored the ride. Special thanks to the Ohio Highway Patrol and the Green and Warren County Sheriffs’ Departments, who provided security and secured the roads for the riders. Most of all, thanks to all the bikers and WWE fans who came out and supported “Donna’s Ride.”