HOUSTON – Storms and flooding streets the night before had the organizers of the 5th Annual Bikers Against Breast Cancer (BABC) wondering if they would see a repeat of last year’s rain-delayed ride. Instead, the sun – and more than 650 participants – came out and made the benefit for The Rose the best BABC to date.
“Riders tend to wait until the day-of to see what the conditions will be like,” explained BABC founder and committee chair D’Etta Casto DeLeon. “If those storms had stuck around, we may not have been able to break the fundraising records we did.”
Breaking records is exactly what happened as the volunteer-led event grossed over $81,000 which included registration fees, sales from auction items and donations from area businesses who served as sponsors.
“Partnering with San Jacinto Harley Davidson for their annual open house and having great entertainment like The Slags playing throughout the afternoon took the ride to the next level,” said DeLeon, assistant vice president at Grandbridge Real Estate Capital who has led the volunteer committee for five years and has seen the interest and enthusiasm grow each year. “We could not make the difference we will make in the lives of the women served by The Rose without the support of the community. From Dean & Rog kicking us off in the morning to Bear Hebert ensuring that our live auction brought in over $10,000, we were simply amazed at the gifts of time and talent.”
Other “firsts” in this fifth year of organizing the event benefitting The Rose, a nonprofit breast health organization serving the Houston area and more than 24 counties, included: an online opportunity to raise funds as teams or individuals, a “Leader of the Pack” $15,000 level sponsor, and a “Best in Show” bike contest.
The launch of The Rose’s new website at www.TheRose.org allowed for the additional fundraising option of participants creating pages to encourage their friends and families to support the cause. The individual raising the most funds was Mechelle Dockall, a committee member who was recognized at the event, along with the highest ranking fundraising team “Remembering Heather Rose.”
An October 2012 fundraiser hosted by BABC committee member and Second Chance Saloon co-owner Janet Slocum brought in the $15,000 that necessitated the creation of a new sponsorship level – Leader of the Pack.
The “Best in Show” winner – as determined by the crowd in attendance – was Danny “Danno” Pantoja who traveled from California to be a part of the day. While he took the $250 prize, runners up Shelley Griffith and Patti Cream were also recognized.
Serving as sponsors alongside Second Chance Saloon and San Jacinto Harley-Davidson were Pasadena Channel 16, The Eagle 106.9 & 107.5, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital through the BB&T Lighthouse Program, Grayco Communications, Guidry’s, LaPorte Towing, Pipefitters Local Union 211, IBEW LU 66, U.S. Development Group, Shell Deer Park, MDN Enterprises, Novus Wood Group, Buffalo Flange, Waltech Co., Neochem, Bubs Sports Bar, Moore Nurses, Commercial Wireless Solutions, Warriors Bikers 4 Charity, Brisket Cases, Willies’ Grill & Ice House, Walgreens, The Greensheet, Paradigm Helicopters, Professional Offshore Photography, Loco Deckhouse, and Breakaway Photography.
Committee members who met for six months prior to the event and served throughout the day alongside DeLeon included Nancy Aguero, Richard Bennett, Domingo Barrios, Karen Campbell, Charles Christy (who also organized the largest team of riders), Mechelle Dockell, Bobbye Gillespie, Susan McCauley, Brahana Howard, Bee Martinez, Jennifer Pareya, Andrea Parks-Van Dyke, Sandra Ruiz, Maria Todd, Janet Slocum, and Araceli Salazar.
“The Rose could not care for the almost 10,000 uninsured women we do each year without events like the Bikers Against Breast Cancer and the upcoming Shrimp Boil,” said Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose. “The hundreds upon hundreds of hours invested in making these celebrations of life possible are simply priceless gifts. I am so grateful to D’Etta and her entire team. With this 5th BABC, they have set the bar even higher and as exceptional as they are, I can’t wait to see what they do next!”
D’Etta Casto DeLeon, the Founder and Committee Chair of Bikers Against Breast Cancer saw the fifth ride become the most successful to date. Here she is presenting the “Best in Show” winner – as determined by the crowd in attendance – with his trophy. Danny “Danno” Pantoja traveled from California to be a part of the day. While he took the $250 prize, runners up Shelley Griffith and Patti Cream were also recognized.
The Rose Co-Founders Dorothy Gibbons, CEO, and Dr. Dixie Melillo are joined by Jane Thomas, 32, who, with the help of The Rose, found her breast cancer in October 2012. As a Certified Nursing Assistant working for a small company, Jane was without insurance. But she knew the impact of the disease as she lost her grandmother to breast cancer when her grandmother was only 45 years old. Jane is currently undergoing treatment which The Rose also helped her to find. Pictured also is Jane’s boyfriend JJ Rodriguez who shaved his head in support of Jane and donated his hair to Locks of Love in her honor.
