DATE 09/08/2006 7:15 AM |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89. ‘Bike for Cure’ Event Honors Mother, Grandma Proceeds to Raise Funds For Breast Cancer Research |
When Ephraim resident Erika Stover and her three young daughters – ages 7, 4 and 1 – get on their bicycles Saturday, Sept. 23, it won’t be for just another family bike ride. They will be taking part in the inaugural Bike for the Cure in Spring City, riding in honor of a mother and grandmother who died of breast cancer.
After her mother, Susan Sermersheim, passed away last December after fighting breast cancer for five years, Stover wanted to find a way to honor her memory – and recognize a Sanpete County town her mom loved. So she, along with her best friend, Melanie Wathen, organized Bike for the Cure, a fundraiser being held in and around the region of Spring City. “My mother loved Spring City,” Stover says. “She and my stepfather used to come down from Springville just about every Sunday and just drive around looking at the old houses. She loved the history of the area.” Bike for the Cure is being held in conjunction with the Arts Festival in Spring City taking place the same weekend. All of the proceeds from entry fees for the bike event will go to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which is dedicated to help finding a cure for breast cancer. “During the five years she battled cancer, my mom always wanted a cure found, she was worried about her daughters and granddaughters,” Stover says. “This is my way of honouring her, and doing my part. I have three daughters – I want a cure found too.” Stover adds that the event is open to “everyone. The entire state of Utah, bikers, families, anyone who has been touched by cancer, etc.” There are two longer rides (58 miles and 42 miles) for experienced bikers beginning at 7:30 a.m. Entry fees are $35 for adult riders ($40 after Sept. 11) and $15 for children under age 14 ($20 after Sept. 11). A shorter ride ( 5.5 miles) for families will begin at 8 a.m. and will wind its way through the town so that participants can view historical homes. Entry fees for that ride are $25 for adults and $10 for children under age 14 (prices go up to $30 and $15, respectively, after Sept. 11). Advance registration is available online at on www.active.com. (search for “Bike for the Cure” under upcoming events). Additional registration forms can be found at local bike shops throughout Utah. Registration is also available the day of the event. Stover, who moved to Ephraim from St. George a year ago, says she plans on making Bike for the Cure an annual event, as it holds a special place in her heart. Not only does it honor her mother, but it was also a special gift from a best friend. “Melanie didn’t know my mom, but she came to her funeral. Afterwards, she called me up and said she could tell what an inspiring woman my mom was,” Stover says, choking back tears. “Then she tells me: ‘I didn’t sleep at all last night, thinking about what we could do, and I have an idea: we’re going to do a bike race.’ We are both bicyclists, so it was a perfect idea. I know that my mom would be honored and proud.” For information about the event, contact Erika Stover at 435-283-2158. # # # |
For more information Contact:
Monte Bona |