Ride For Life: Albertville Couple Making Sure Friend's Final Wish Carries On

Every once in a while, you can take something fun that you love to do and turn into something good. 

Now, thanks to the efforts of his friends and more than 200 riders, Chad Smith, two years after his death at just 36 years of age, has been able to do something great. 

The fourth annual Ride for Life will take place, rain or shine, Saturday, June 18. Riders will converge at 9:30 a.m. at Bar in St. Michael, and take off for more than 12 hours of riding, eating, drinking (responsibly), singing and dancing.

They'll remember the man they lost to Hodgkins Lymphoma (previously Hodgkin's Disease) in 2009, and reach out to help a little girl that so many of them have never even met. 

Chad was able to be a part of the first two Ride For Life events. A former rider, Hodgkins was taking its toll on Smith by the time the 2009 ride rolled around. He knew the event, which had helped him cover medical expenses and other necessities, could do something great for someone else in need. 

"One of Chad's final wishes was that the event move forward and reach out and find a local family that was also fighting cancer," said cousin and friend Tobey Berning, joined by his wife, Jen. "It was just his way of passing it on." 

Last year, more than 200 riders pitched in to help Lucas Letellier. Back February 19, 2010, Lucas was given the diagnoses of Aveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, Stage 4. His primary tumor is located in his right calf. Luke received aggressive chemotherapy for 54 weeks, and is still fighting.

This year, another child fighting cancer is being aided by the ride. According to Jen, the Ride has found 9-year-old Maddy Wenner, who is battling leukemia. When Maddy was 3, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic Leukemia. She went through two years of treatment, and ended with a clean scan in October 2007.  Two years later, however, on Oct. 9th, 2010 Maddy was diagnosed with the recurrence of Leukemia.

"She is a trooper and understands exactly what she's up against," the family's Caring Bridge site states. "Maddy has a positive attitude and the personality of a fighter."

In fact, Maddy has a request for this year's riders. 

"She's going to come out to Ditto's Saturday morning and get a ride," Tobey said. "She's super pumped about it." 

The ride will culminate with a celebration for both Chad and Maddy at Neighbors Bar and Grill Saturday night. Riders should start rolling in around 5:30 p.m. There will be music, a silent auction, and door prizes. 

The "Red Rocket" will be available as well for those who aren't bikers but still want to come along on the 150-mile journey. Stops along the way will include Up the Creek in Silver Creek, Doochie's in St. Marten, and some points in between. 

The cost to participate in the Ride for Life is $20, or $10 if you want to hang out at Saturday night. Donations can also be made by calling Wendy Jorgenson at 763-497-0470. All proceeds will beneft the Wenner family. 

To RSVP for the ride (required for all bikers or Red Rocket Riders), contact Tobey at 763-286-1633.