At left, Geneva Cancer Run treasurer Jordan Carroll and Secretary Kristi Peterson. At center: Bikers preparing to prepare to ride. At right: Jake Jenson, DeeAee Randall,Andy Jensen.
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Beautiful weather accompanied nearly 100 riders at the thirteenth annual Geneva Cancer Run Saturday, June 8.
The ride began around 11 a.m. at the Geneva Bar and Grill. Riders left east on Highway 35 on their way to Kensett, Iowa. Awaiting them was a pulled pork lunch in the city park.
Their return route included stops in Carpenter, Iowa and Myrtle before returning to Geneva around 4 p.m.
Leading the ride was Captain Jake Jensen, who, with the help of his mother DeeAnn and brother Jake, started this annual ride in 2011 in honor of his best friend Matt Felt.
Matt lost his battle with cancer at the age of 26 in 2007.
Son of Doug and Sandy Felt, Matt was a Geneva native like many of those present on Saturday.
“Matt was a good friend to Jake,” DeeAnn said. “And all the kids in Geneva for that matter.”
The non-profit group, Geneva Cancer Run, began with the Matt Felt Memorial Ride in 2010 and organized a year later in 2011.
DeeAnn Randall serves as president with her sons Jake as the vice president and Andy as one of the nine board members.
Since the ride’s inception, more than a quarter of a million dollars has been raised and given back to local persons battling cancer. This year’s event was expected to raise about $20,000. The cost to ride Saturday was $10.
“We’re a cheap date at $10 a rider,” DeeAnn said before the departure. “Stay for the auction, that’s where we raise our money.
“We’re glad to do this for a long time,” DeeAnn concluded. “We want to help people in need, locally. If there’s a need, you try to fill it.”
Before their initial departure Jessica Tomshin, formerly Arndt, sang the national anthem.
“Then it’s kickstands up,” DeeAnn said over a loudspeaker.
For those wanting to attend next year, preparations are already underway DeeAnn assured.