Traci delivered blue skies and warm weather for her Oct. 3 event

By Wendy Post
Published: October 10, 2009

 Just as anticipated, there was blue skies and warm weather on Oct. 3, 2009 as guests and motorcycles geared up and headed to Hickories Park in Owego for the 6th annual Traci's Hope event.

Traci Gibson, who lost her battle to stage IV breast cancer on Oct. 3, 2006, left a legacy behind when she established a fund that would help families locally that are fighting breast cancer.

The primary fund-raiser for Traci's Hope is an annual event that gathers at Hickories Park in Owego each year on the first Saturday in October. The event attracts over 1,000 guests each year and has been joined with a parallel effort coordinated by Don and BJ Wheeland that engages motorcyclists in fund-raising efforts.

According to Gordon Shiner, Traci Gibson's father, this year drew close to 2,000 participants and raised approximately $33,000. The motorcycle ride, which departed from Wheel's Roadhouse Cafe and Hiawatha Motorcycles, welcomed over 285 registrants and raised $5,800.

According to Gordon Shiner, Traci's Hope has provided over $100,000 in assistance to local families since it was established. "It's all these people that do it," said Shiner as he looked at the guests who arrived on Oct. 3.

Shiner also noted that the fund has assisted 20 families this year, and even picked up two more in need of assistance during the Oct. 3 event. And the best part about the funds raised is that 100 percent of the dollars provide assistance to families in the Tioga and Broome County area.

At Wheel's Roadhouse Cafe and Hiawatha Motorcycles on the morning of Oct. 3, the organizers were thrilled that the weather cooperated for the 81-mile ride that raises additional funds to support local families.

Patty Lewis, a two-year breast cancer survivor, participated for her first year in the ride. "The weather couldn't be better today," said Lewis of the sunny skies and near 70 degree weather.

Gordon Shiner was also amazed at the beautiful weather that arrived for the event. "We had a wonderful turnout," said Shiner. "Traci must have been up there moving the clouds around."

To learn more about Traci's Hope you can visit their website located at www.tracishope.com.  

 Look for more photos in the Owego Pennysaver homepage photo gallery.