Geneva cancer run

Rainy skies did not stop nearly 200 people from gathering at the Geneva Bar and Grill on Saturday morning to raise money to fight cancer in the fourth annual Geneva Cancer Run. 
92 motorcycles, four cars and a short bus made the over 120-mile journey to Douglas, West Concord, Hayfield and then back to Geneva. 
DeeAnn Randall founded the event with her two sons Jake and Andy Jensen and daughter Elizabeth Randall after another local ride expanded to causes beyond cancer. 
“We though Geneva has always been a town about making money for cancer so we decided we should just try it out. That first year we had 80 motorcycles show up, which is almost unheard of with a brand new event like this so we decided we just had to go forward with it,” DeeAnn said. “Story short… we have all lost friends and family to cancer and we all came together and decided we need to do this and the motorcycles are the vehicle to be able to do that.” 
The event not only raises money for local families who are dealing with cancer, but also goes to cancer research. Despite the rain last year the event had 75 bikes, raised $10,000 and was able to help 10 local families. 
The money given to families can be used however the family sees fit. For example use it to help pay for treatment, bills, groceries, gas or a baby sitter. 
DeeAnn said she hoped to raise at least $10,000 again this year if it was raining $25,000 if the sun was shining. She added, she couldn’t do it with out the people who work behind the scenes to organize the event. 
“We couldn’t do it without the large amount of people that work really hard behind the scenes. It really takes a whole city and Geneva is just the place to do it. It is a little town with a big heart,” she said. 
After the group returned to Geneva they had a full evening’s worth of entertainment including both a silent and live auction as well as performances from two bands including Rush Hour from Austin and Hitfaced from Rochester. 
“In the end all of us know somebody that we have lost to cancer, is fighting it right now or will get it so it hits the heart,” DeeAnn said. 
Becky Ryerson, of Austin, rode with her friend John Gardner. This is her second time doing the ride. 
“My mother passed away from cancer so I try to get to these cancer runs in and with the money they raise hopefully they will come up with a cure,” she said. 
Ryerson tries to do two to three cancer rides a year as well as a toy run. She enjoys doing them because she not only gets to ride, but also gets to meet new people and support a good cause. 
Ryerson feels the event is important because “it helps keep the awareness going,” she said. 
Stacy Adams, of Albert Lea, rode with her fiancé Justin Hove and has now done the ride three years in a row. 
“It has been a traditions for the last three years. I ride for my Grandpa who died from prostate cancer and my aunt who died of breast cancer,” Adams said. “It is a great cause for the community to raise money. The proceeds are kept local and it just brings a lot of people together. It is like a family.”
Adams enjoys the event because of the ride and the people involved in the event. The two also do the Matt Felt Run. 
Friends Rick Fickett and Chris Kadlece, of Albert Lea have done the ride since the beginning. 
“We are good friends with the organizers and enjoy riding with our friends,” Kadlece said. Fickett added he has had some friends pass away from cancer. 
The two enjoy the event because of the people, the bikes and the ride itself. 
“It is a good cause and raises money that stays in the community. They are really good about giving it to be people locally,” Kadlece said. Fickett added, “It is fun seeing everybody come together for a good cause.”