Bikers ride for health care

Randy Burns / The Item A big turnout is expected for this year's Motorcycle Charity Run for CareFIRST Foundation. This photo shows a few of last year's participants.

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

BISHOPVILLE — Local families having difficulty gaining access to primary and specialty healthcare services will be benefited by a charity motorcycle ride on Saturday sponsored by the CareFIRST Carolina Foundation.

Mark Sobiski, Development Manager with the foundation, said proceeds from Saturday's event will go the CareFirst Friends and Neighbors Patient Assistance Fund.

"The dollars we net out of this ride will go directly to people that need help accessing medical care at our CareSouth (healthcare) sites in five counties (Darlington, Chesterfield, Lee, Dillon and Marlboro)," Sobiski said.

The ride will begin at the Applebee's parking lot in Hartsville. Applebee's will offer a $5 pancake breakfast for non-riders with proceeds going to the patient assistance fund.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The event will end in front of the Super Wal-Mart in Hartsville. The course runs about 90 miles and will make stops in Chesterfield, Cheraw, Bennettsville, Society Hill and Hartsville.

Classic car owners are invited to come down to the Hartsville medical site and show off their cars, Sobiski said. Soft drinks and food will be available for a small donation or tickets can be purchased in advance for only $5 per plate.

Sobiski said the event is made possible through the support of various community sponsors."It is great to have partners in this event like Thompson custom cycles, Pepsi, Markette, Dons Custom Exhaust, to name just a few," Sobiski said. "For every $50 we raise, we can help one more person gain access to quality healthcare."

Staff at the CareSouth facility in Bishopville are in full support of Saturday's fundraiser, said Betty Railey, a nurse at the Bishopville facility on U.S. 15 about two miles south of Bishopville.

"My friends and I all ride motorcycles in these events and the CareFIRST Carolina Foundation is a great cause to support," Railey said. "I have seen some of the patients they help through the foundation. They really do make a difference in people's lives and the money stays here in our area to help local people. I hope everyone comes out to support this charity ride; it should be a lot of fun."

Entry fees are $20 per bike. The last bike out deadline is at noon, and the last bike in is 2:30 p.m. Door prizes and auction items will be available. Food for all participants will be served beginning at noon. Food will be available for a $5.00 donation for spectators and visitors.

CareFIRST Carolina Foundation is a regional private operating foundation that raises funds and project capital for the patients of CareSouth Carolina, a Community Heath Center with 10 locations in five counties including Bishopville in Lee County.

Donations stay in the area and assist local families and individuals to gain better access to needed health care services, Sobiski said. For more information, call (843) 332-3422, Ext. 170.



Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.