Fundraisers come in as many varieties as there are interests. Fundraisers are also tributes to the people that inspire them; and for Jill Cagle, her special event this weekend is not just about raising awareness for mesothelioma research. It’s a celebration of a life well lived. This fundraising event is “Ridin’ the Wind with Rob,” happening this Saturday, July 28.
Jill’s husband, Rob Cagle, was an avid rider. Whether it was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with its signature roar or something more serene like a ten-speed bike, Rob loved to feel the wind in his hair and the sun on his skin, prompting his favorite turn-of-phrase, “It’s All Good.” Jill wanted to celebrate that love of the open road alongside the memory of her husband and so she put together this family-friendly event happening this weekend in Pekin, Illinois. Whether you ride a Harley, a Yamaha or simply wish to ride your car, you are invited to take part in this, 91-mile long, ride (or drive) for meso awareness. “We have a variety of events planned for the day,” Jill promises. “We’ll be registering your vehicles between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and for the kids we will have games to play. If you’re not riding, we’re also raffling off donations from local vendors and holding a bake sale. We’ve got something for everyone.”
“Ridin’ the Wind with Bob” is more than just an open ride through the streets of Pekin. Starting at 4 p.m. at Goodfellas will be a spaghetti dinner, a $6 charge for anyone 13 or older, $4 for kids between 4-12. “This event will be, I think, very much like Rob’s spirit,” says Jill. “This will be fun for all ages and people will bring out their favorite set of wheels and enjoy a day in the sun. This is how he would want to reach people — not with fear or anger, but with a positive, fun attitude, showing people the best way to stand up against mesothelioma cancer — by living.”
“Ridin’ the Wind with Rob” will happen this Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. (with a blessing of the bikes at 11:30 a.m.) and will last all day. The spaghetti dinner is at Goodfellas from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For more information on this event or to make a donation in Rob’s name, call Jill at 309-267-3155. For more on upcoming events in the meso community, visit our website at CureMeso.org.
