About
50 women motorcyclists rode into the Carefree Town Center
last Thursday for tea at the English Rose Tea Room. The
event was to raise money for breast cancer research.
Christine
Lessard, an 11‑year cancer survivor, helped organize
the ride in conjunction with Arizona Bike Week. Lessard
is also executive director of the Arizona Institute for
Breast Health.
The
institute provides second opinions for treatment recommendations
to women diagnosed with breast cancer. The service is
provided free of charge.
Christine
Bell, head of the Gypsy Riders, the women’s motorcycle
group, arrived in pink leather and doffed her horned helmet
in favor of a proper lady’s hat for sipping tea.
“This
is the highlight of the entire ride,” said Bell. “The
ladies love to put on the fancy hats with the leather
and play tea party.”
Joanne
Gemmill, owner of the tea room, told The Desert Advocate
she is very passionate about breast cancer research. Her
mother‑in‑law passed away from cancer last
year.
“It’s
very close to our hearts,” she said.
Gemmill
went on to say she loves the Bike Week event because
it’s something different for the tea room.
“It’s
the juxtaposition of leather and bikes at the Tea Room,”
said Gemmill. “That’s normally something you’d see at
Harold’s. This is more interesting than doing a raffle
and silent auction.”
Bell
related the issue has been important to her, but now even
more so because one of her very close friends was told
the day before the ride that her cancer had returned.
“She
was supposed to ride with us today but she can’t because
she’s undergoing testing,” said Bell.
At
the tea room, the ladies enjoyed finger foods and tea
under a clear Arizona sky.
“It’s
always fun, and it’s a beautiful day,” said Patty Mercer
of Gold Canyon. “You just don’t think an English tea lady
would get so excited about a bunch of biker girls.”
Lessard
said she wouldn’t know for another week or two how much
money was raised from pledges and donations.
For
more information on the Arizona Institute for Breast Health,
visit www.aibh.org.
