Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
One beneficiary finds way to give back
CODY — The sixth annual PEAKS to Conga bicycle ride is this Saturday. The fully-supported 68-mile bicycle ride from Cody to Shell, raises funds to support cancer patients in the Big Horn Basin.
Volunteers help PEAKS (People Everywhere Are Kind & Sharing), raise money to donate immediate, short term, gas and grocery assistance to local cancer patients experiencing financial hardship. Last year alone, the PEAKS to Conga ride raised more than $20,000 to assist cancer patients.
In the past five years, PEAKS given $15,000 out in grant money for patients in the Big Horn Basin.
Event coordinator Laurie Parker said, “Anyone qualifies, it doesn’t matter who your provider is as long as the need is cancer treatment.” She said while the funds are used for the actual treatment costs they are used to help offset overwhelming costs with treatment with a new diagnosis such as travel. spread it out.
“PEAKS to Conga has been an inspiration to many,” Parker said. “It brings people together from all walks of life to support the same cause.” This year is also dedicated to remember a special lady who inspired PEAKS to Conga. Although Flo Fuhr has since passed, her ambition and passion lives on through the people who ride, Parker added.
Among those people, is Stacia Jensen. Jensen has been a dedicated supporter of PEAKS to Conga; starting the ride its inaugural year. Her fondest memory as a rider was receiving a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich from a kind gentleman, which gave her the extra boost she needed to finish the ride. Jensen later learned his name was John Jackson and he was fighting cancer, Parker said.
“His passionate spirit to help others was so inspiring,” Jensen said in a PEAKS press release. “John passed away, but as a tribute to him and his kind heart, I am determined to continue the tradition of handing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to the cyclists participating in PEAKS to Conga.”
Inspiration to many
Many patients have reaped the benefits of PEAKS to Conga. Parker said in one case, a grant recipient lived 90 miles away from St. Vincent Physician Network - Cody Radiation Oncology, where she received her radiation treatments. PEAKS donated a $300 gas gift card so she could afford the travel expenses that she incurred while following her treatment plan. That recipient was Ranee Gonsalez of Worland. “The donation from PEAKS inspired the recipient and her family to ‘pay it forward’ and create their own charitable event in support of cancer patients,” Parker said.
Gonsalez said she was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2014 and had to endure 5.5 weeks of radiation in Cody. “I’d drive up and spend a week getting treatments and then drive home. They told me to fill out the simple form.” She said the money was helpful and one thing she didn’t have to worry about, but she said they also wanted to help out. “We feel so blessed. We were bless through that whole journey. We (her family) brainstormed on what they could do to give back and came up with the Playing for Hope basketball tournament. The first one was held January 2015 and the second one this past January.
“We’re hoping to make this an annual event. The community has been awesome in supporting us,” Gonsalez said.
Peaks funding
“It’s amazing to see how this event has evolved in the past six years,” Parker said. “Our first year, we had less than 20 cyclists and raised $400; last year more than 100 people participated in the ride and we raised more than $20,000. That’s pretty incredible. And it’s all staying right here in our community, helping our friends and family.”
The ride will start at 7 a.m. on Saturday at Absaroka Bicycles in Cody located at 2201 17th Street. Items needed for a successful ride include: a bicycle, spare tube, helmet, water bottle and sunscreen. Support vehicles will be provided for those needing assistance. Participants of all ages are encouraged to ride.
By noon most people are there. Support vehicles last rider in. Once they get there, nice and relaxing.
Parker said it’s not just for cyclists, it’s for everybody, and other vehicles are welcome or people can just come to Shell.
After the ride, participants and spectators are encouraged to stick around and enjoy a “Shellebration” downtown. There will be a silent auction, post ride massages, food trucks (including Kathy’s Southwest Kitchen and Mama Z’s Boy Pizza), beverages, and a cash bar provided all day and evening.
Live music begins at 8 p.m. at the Shell Hall featuring world renowned Wylie & the Wild West. Doors open at 7 p.m.
To register to ride or for more information please contact Laurie Parker at [email protected] or 307-272-8766. You can also visit http://www.svh-mt.org or find them on Facebook.