Alex Cotton Memorial Ride & BBQ raises awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Saturday was the 4th annual Motorcycle Ride & BBQ, hosted by the Alex Cotton Memorial Fund Inc.
Bringing the community out for a ride around the city in Springfield, the event is held in honor of Alex Cotton, whose life was cut short by pancreatic cancer at the age of 53. His daughter Kidon Gebersadik says events like this help to make sure that people know they have resources available to them.
"It's one of the cancers that you do not find a lot of resources for," said Kidon. "We really want to put the word out that we are looking for people and families to help because we are out here and we want to provide the support for those families."
"I want to make sure people are able to get the funding and also know that this stuff is available to help them," said Tisziya Williams of Springfield. ".... Make sure everyone is together as a community because no one is alone when they have these situations."
The goal of this fundraising event is to provide financial support to families who are caring for a loved one with pancreatic cancer. They work to reduce the financial burdens that come with pancreatic cancer to allow families to put a focus on recovery, wellness, and quality time.
According to the American Cancer Society, African-Americans are slightly more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than Caucasians. And men are more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than women.
Kidon says it's important to raise awareness of this cancer and let the community know that there are resources to help families through these difficult times.
"Financial stress is one of the leading causes of additional ailments and can adversely effect recovery because you want to be stress free and finances can cause a lot of hardship and stress on people," Kidon explained. "If we can help them keep a light bill on, pay the rent or anything like that, it can be one less thing to worry about."
The Alex Cotton Memorial Fund Inc. says their goal is to raise at least $5,000 through their motorcycle ride event.
