The annual Sandra K. Lawler Memorial Bike Run will take place 4 to 9 p.m. July 26, followed by a fundraiser from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The 100-mile motorcycle ride and car caravan travels through the streets of Indiana and Illinois, making stops at several locations. The event begins and ends at Bridges Scoreboard Restaurant and Sports Bar in Griffith, Lawler's hometown. Other stops include Cronies in Kouts, Town Pub in Lowell, Sollitt Tap in Grant Park, Ill., and St. John Pub in St. John.
"Our message is that awareness of the disease, family history and regular screenings can help prevent the disease, or detect the disease when treatment is most effective," said Steve Urevig, son of Sandra Lawler. "We honor (our mother) by educating other families about being aware of their risk and the benefits of prescreening and finding the cancer in its pre-cancerous state."
Lawler was 69 when she succumbed to the disease. Neither she nor her three children were aware of their family history of colon cancer. It was not until meeting Dr. Marc Brand from Rush University Medical Center, who became Lawler's physician, that they learned of the benefits of pre-screening and the advances in treatment for this disease.
Her three sons - Ron Urevig, of Crown Point, Steve Urevig, of Griffith, and Brian Urevig, of Highland, have since been screened and tested.
The fundraiser features live entertainment by Northwest Indiana's classic-rock band Radio London. Catering is courtesy of Pepino's Restaurant in St. John. There will also be a 50/50 cash raffle as well as a live auction.
For tickets, call (219) 513-8534 or e-mail lianemadduci@comcast.net.
Proceeds benefit Rush University's Registry for Hereditary & Familial Colon Cancer. Joining motorcycle enthusiasts from Indiana and Illinois will be Brand, assistant professor of surgery and surgical director of the registry.
The registry is one of only 32 in the United States emphasizing hereditary and familial colon cancer. One of the greatest impacts of a registry is its ability to identify relatives at risk for a particular hereditary syndrome and ensure these individuals are screened and treated in a timely fashion, according to a news release.
"Colon cancer affects people of all ages and is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in our country," Brand said in the release. "It is a silent and deadly disease that is often tragically diagnosed in advanced stages. This event helps spread the word about the importance of knowing your family's health history."
There are two forms of hereditary colon cancer: familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer. These are usually suspected when there is a strong family history of colon cancer or colon cancer at a young age. Both conditions are hereditary, with each child of an affected parent having a 50 percent chance of inheriting the condition.
- For The Times
