Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Washakie Hospital Foundation member Keith Van Brunt heads out on his motorcycle as the 11th annual Badlands Poker Run got underway. At left is fellow board member Wally Wallace filming the exit, along with board members (on the stairs) Marty Hinkel and Dani Rice.
The Washakie Hospital Foundation had a near record turnout for the 11th annual Badlands Poker Run to raise money for its cancer fund.
Organizer Keith Van Brunt said there were 51 motorcyclists, 10 vehicles and several 2-up cycles who rode and drove to play poker, socialize and raise funds for are cancer patients.
Foundation Board member Wally Wallace has participated in the Badlands Poker Run for all 11 years, the past eight as a board member. He said the board has been able to provide more than $58,000 to area cancer patients in the past 20 months.
He said he first participated because "it's a good cause. The funds go to our neighbors.".
Ward Tigner has participated for the past several years and supported the cancer fund through his business Tractor Guys. Each year they donate portion of the tractor sales to the fund and this year they have sold a lot of tractors, he noted.
"I like the cause and I've been battling cancer for the past six years," Tigner said. He added that three months ago he was told to "get his affairs in order" but then a few weeks later they began new treatment so he is hopeful.
This year his wife was driving him in their Mustang to participate in the poker run. He also donated his motorcycle, "The Green Monster," to be raffled off. He said they had sold about $25,000 in tickets and the last 10 tickets would be auctioned off Saturday night at the end of the poker run.
He said he tried riding but could not anymore due to the pain, so opted to donate the motorcycle to help others.
"People who get cancer need help. I know what it's like. He said it is expensive for some people who have to travel for treatment, including out of state to Billings, Denver or Salt Lake City.
"I've been blessed so I want to help others," Tigner said, noting that one of his employees also battled cancer and he informed him about the cancer fund but the employee said he did not need the financial assistance and wanted to make sure there was funds for those who did need it.
"One way or another we have all had someone who has been touched by cancer," Tigner said.
He added that the poker run and the foundation cancer fund is a team effort with a lot of volunteers working together to help cancer patients.
Mike Iratcabal of Cody participated Saturday in his second run, along with his friend Shirley Diepen of Carson City, Nevada.
Iratcabal said, "I like doing poker runs." He said he is also friends with Van Brunt and a fellow member of the Patriot Guard.
"This is also for cancer awareness. I have had friends and relatives who have had it, and lost a few," he said, adding that this poker run is personal as well as for fun.
Diepen said, "This is for a good cause. I am always happy to ride for good causes," noting she participates in the TaTa Ride in Nevada for breast cancer patients.
Diepen and Iratcabal noted the sometimes bikers get a bad name "but we do good things."
Holly Getzfried has participated for three years, noting her work schedule does not always allow her to ride during the poker run. "This is a way to give back to the community," she said.
Tyler Voyles said he has participated the past seven years. He said his stepmother passed away this year from pancreatic cancer and this poker run is for "an awesome cause."
Voyles and Getzfried said the poker run is also fun and way to meet up with friends.
This year's run began at the Worland Elks Lodge and headed north to the Silver Spur in Greybull, then west to the Burlington Place, on to Hyattville to the Paintrock Inn, to the Sleepy Coyote in Ten Sleep, back to Worland at Goose's Liquor for the last card and then back to the Elks for the live auction.
