Olivette Woman Leads RMHC Ride Team in Memory of Cousin

Fifteen years after her mother was given the drug DES to prevent miscarriage, Susan developed uterine cancer as an after-effect of the drug. Soon, Susan began to receive care at Stanford University Medical School in Palo Alto, California—a nearly 11-hour drive from her home in Eugene, Oregon.

Susan’s parents, sisters, and brother attempted to travel back and forth to see Susan during the last three months of her life, often taking the train because Susan’s father worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Never sure where they would stay each visit, the family wished there was a way to stay close to Susan during her chemotherapy and radiation treatment. It wasn’t until 1979 that the Ronald McDonald House opened in Palo Alto to help keep families close to their seriously-ill children—four years after Susan’s death.

Olivette resident and Susan’s cousin, Lucinda Weaver, will ride in the RMHC Ride on June 19 starting and ending in Forest Park in memory of her cousin so other children’s families can have a place to stay when their child is being treated at a St. Louis hospital.

“Susan's four siblings rarely got to be with her those last few months,” Lucinda said. “For families going through that today, the Ronald McDonald Houses provide an opportunity to keep the families close to their loved ones without adding another financial burden.”

Team Vintage Wheels will hit the road for 100 miles to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities and have already raised more than $2,000 through their online fundraising page at www.firstgiving.com/rmhcridestl.

Professional cyclists and recreational riders alike are invited to the 1st Annual Ronald McDonald House Charities Bike Ride sponsored by St. John’s Mercy Children’s Hospital on Saturday, June 19, 2010. The RMHC Ride has four race options including: 6-mile Fun Ride with Ronald McDonald for families, a 32-mile Fitness Challenge, 62-Mile Metric Century, and 100-mile Century.

Those not interested in participating in the race but still have a heart for helping families with seriously-ill children are encouraged to volunteer at the event. Volunteers are needed at our rest stops, start and finish lines, and ride support locations.

All ride finishers will receive an RMHC Finisher’s Medal upon crossing the finish line celebrating the completed distance. Fundraising awards will also be awarded based on how much each rider raises ranging from an official RMHC Ride jersey to a $500 bike shop voucher.

Food and drink will be available all day along with a bike shop, fitness village, live music, massage tent, kid’s area with fun activities, a finish line party, and beer garden. To ride or volunteer for the RMHC Ride or for more information, visit www.rmhcridestl.com. You can also call Paige Lierman at 314-773-1100, ext. 1437, or e-mail plierman@rmhcstl.com