The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: Variety

SELLARS

When bikers get together, they usually are riding for something more than just the sensation of feeling the wind in their hair.

"John's Ride 2007" is a charity motorcycle ride to generate public awareness of Cushing's Syndrome, said Donna Sellars, founder of the ride and mother to John Sellars, who is affected by the disease.

The ride starts at Cycle World in Athens and will end at the Chop House in Madison, said Mike Newell, the business and marketing manager for Cycle World.

"This ride will be a lot of fun and should raise a lot of money," Newell said.

"My son was diagnosed with Cushing's in September of '04, and I had never heard of it," Sellars said. "This is a much misdiagnosed disease, and we are trying to get awareness out that it can kill."

Cushing's syndrome is an overproduction of the hormone cortisol and can cause weight gain, tumors, diabetes and high blood pressure, Sellars said.

"Ninety percent of the pediatricians I talked with at a pediatric convention in Atlanta said they wouldn't check for it," Sellars said. "It's just sad when veterinarians know more about it than a pediatrician because they check for it in horses and dogs."

Sally Rogers, a charity event organizer and a biker herself, teamed up with Sellars to begin the project.

"This is my first bike ride, but I have done other charity events," Rogers said.

Two groups expected to ride are the Blue Knights (retired police officers) and the Red Knights (retired fire men).

Newell said people who ride motorcycles are some of the most patriotic and charitable people.

"If we wanted world peace, we should just give everyone a motorcycle," Newell said.

There are many door prizes, including Buffalo's gift cards, Build-a-Bears, a leather rider's vest and much more, Rogers said.

"This is our first ride, and we are going to do it every year until no more children die from [Cushing's]," Sellars said.

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