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Willie Ride 3 for Cystic Fibrosis set for Sept. 13

Saturday, September 5, 2009
By MARIBETH WARD, Staff Writer

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be the recipient of the Greencastle Gold Club's Willie Ride this year.

This is the third year for the annual event that takes place in honor of Willie Bartley, who passed away a few years ago. The motorcycle ride begins at 11 a.m. and all bikers are invited to join the event.

Cost to ride is $25 per bike and starts at the Arby's Restaurant in Greencastle. The route includes bikers riding on S.R. 231, 46, and 135, C.R. 252, S.R. 37 and 39, U.S. Hwy. 40, S.R. 240 and back to Arby's.

All proceeds will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which also holds their Great Strides fundraising walks all over the country in September.

Following the ride there will be a hog roast by Mark's BBQ. For information about the Willie Ride 3, contact Dave Sutherland at 720-0313 or Trish Keller at 630-8356.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide).

A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections, obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.

In the 1950s, few children with cystic fibrosis lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

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  • Willie didn't die from CF so why are you doing a bike ride in honor of him to raise money for CF? If you're doing a ride in honor of him shouldn't you be raising money for the daughters he left behind? Or maybe for a saftey/awareness program for bikers?

    -- Posted by mjc0825 on Tue, Sep 8, 2009, at 7:32 AM

  • My grandmother babysat Willie and his brother along with Dave Sutherland and other children. Willie was also good friends with my cousin who died of CF on March 17, 2008. So just because he didn't die of CF doesn't mean people are doing something in his memory for those who have CF and have died with CF.

    -- Posted by noelle_ah on Tue, Sep 8, 2009, at 7:19 PM

  • This is really sad. A group of people are trying to raise some money for kids, that's all there is to it. They are trying to obviously help people in their community! Why does there have to be someone out there, ALWAYS, to be negative? Why can't you just be happy that someone is trying to do something for someone else? Not everyone in this world is selfish, only looking out for themselves. Who cares if the young man had CF or not?! I believe when they had the first AND second ride, I saw both flyers, and the money for those went to the family. So why is it being made out to look like nothing was done for them? The family would probably like for others to benefit also. I think the children get money from a little thing called social security and insurance, which is supposed to kick in in the event that a parent passes away, am I right? So this club would like to raise money and help some children, SO LET THEM DO IT AND QUIT COMPLAINING! Do you really think Willie would have a problem with them raising money for kids? I'm sure he would be proud.

    -- Posted by fred&wilma on Tue, Sep 8, 2009, at 9:13 PM

  • way to go MOW1 tell them to keep their noses out of business they dont need to be in. I would consider myself to be one of willie's best friends and I too know he would be proud of anything that has to do with helping kids in any kind of way at all. I also know that willow has an account setup for her and yes it has more than just dave's name on it. I would like to encourage anyone that thinks they could do any better than what some little club of bikers has done then step up to the plate. (UMAD)!!!!

    -- Posted by peter griffin on Wed, Sep 9, 2009, at 11:06 PM

  • I think the Gold Club is using Willie's name simply because they know it will bring in a crowd, the deal was though that the money was to go to his daughter whom he never got to meet, not that any amount of money can make up for that, but it sure would help out with college since it is not touchable until "the social security money" would run out anyways, what little that is.

    I think raising money for cystic fiborsis is a wonderful thing and i think that it is great that bikers raise money for any disease foundation, but put a new name on it and do another ride, You all know you really can't ride too much, i would think we could always use another excuse for a road trip, sounds like fun to me.

    -- Posted by lclrdr on Thu, Sep 10, 2009, at 11:51 AM

  • Willie was my nephew. I know he would be proud to see money being raised for such a good cause.

    -- Posted by Jmcshanog on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 8:57 AM

  • hello,

    I am sad to read some of the comments listed above. It breaks my heart. As CF parents we are grateful for all the time, efforts,Awareness and funds raised for Cystic Fibrosis research. Regardless of what the event is called donations are used for valuable science that my family needs and depends on. CF is an orphan disease that means the major drug company's do not support research or new advances that can be made; regardless of the 30,000 people in the US that have been diagnosed. It is very important to remember that this event was intended to gain research for local families and CHILDREN WHO HAVE CF. Our little girl has to take 7 pills before she can eat. Imagine giving your child pills before he/she can eat anything. Everyday my 5 yr old daughter has to do 3 breathing treatments and 2 vest treatments. The average time being taking close to 2 hours just to stay healthy. If she gets sick we go to Riley Hospital to do lung functions, and sputum culture. If our results are not where they need to be she could be on IVs for 2 weeks or more. If results are reasonable we are sent home and have to increase all treatments to 4 times a day. Now taking up to 6 hours. I am explaining a our daily routine so that it might sink into some people that choose to say harsh words without thinking of others or all the facts. WE ARE GRATEFUL THE WILLI RIDE CHOSE CF TO BENEFIT THE DONATIONS. I personally want to thank Dave Sutherlin and Willie's family.

    "Be Kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some type of battle."

    -- Posted by cooper811 on Wed, Sep 16, 2009, at 11:49 AM
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