BEDFORD – The 9th Annual Dumon McCain Memorial Ride is a yearly event to honor the memory and legacy of Dumon McCain, who sadly passed away in 2013 after battling cancer. It also serves as a way to help support other families who are battling cancer, with a new recipient each year.
Brian and Misty Grow have been a part of the memorial ride since the beginning, each year building lasting memories, and a larger extended family. And with every recipient of the memorial ride each year leaving a lasting impact on the family, this year’s ride meant so much more.
This years recipient is Archer Foist who was diagnosed at 10 months old with A.L.L. (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). Archer is currently 16 months old and a patient at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and one of the Grow’s grandchildren.
“When we learned that Archer was dealing with Leukemia, the group said he should be this year’s recipient, and I was hesitant because there are so many other families in need of financial support, but they didn’t hesitate in choosing him,” said Misty.
With insurance helping with most of the treatments Archer has to go through, it’s hard to realize the additional financial assistance needed, especially when the family travels back and forth between Indiana, and Cincinnati, OH.
“It has been hard on the family because my daughter Abby spends four days a week with Archer in Cincinnati, while her husband Andy stays home with their four-year-old daughter,” Misty said. “They have quickly become a single-income home and need the assistance with gas prices being as high as they are now, as well as additional needs that can’t be fully covered. This event will help them dramatically.”
Seeing 130 motorcycles gather together at the Bedford American Legion Gillen Post 33, the largest turnout in the history of the memorial ride, was almost too much for Misty to control her emotions.
“I cry almost daily thinking about what Archer is going through, I cried on my way to this ride, and here I am now spreading tears of joy, knowing that this will help the family dramatically.”
Registration went from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. before the group set out. A minimum of $20 was needed for each rider/bike, which will go to the Foist family to help them get through this fight together.
A great turnout, to support a great family in their time of need is what the Dumon McCain Memorial Ride is all about.
