Ride for a Cure set for September 11 at D Bar D Ranch

11th annual fundraiser helps patients at Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center.

REED CITY & CHASE, Mich., May 5, 2021 – Ida DeHaas, of Chase, may have lost her battle with cancer in 2015, but her dream for an annual event to support other cancer patients lives on in a big way.

DeHaas was instrumental in starting Ride for a Cure at D Bar D Ranch in Chase—an event that has now raised over $230,000 for cancer patients; with more than $28,000 raised last year despite COVID-19.

DeHaas’s family members and friends at D Bar D Ranch are busy planning this year’s event, scheduled for September 11.

Ride for a Cure benefits Spectrum Health’s Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center in Reed City. The funds provide needed programming support and services at the facility’s wellness center, such as free wigs, bras, massage therapy and transportation assistance.

Trail rides, wagon rides, camping, a pig roast, a silent auction and live music will again highlight the event. Cost is $25 per person.

Multiple horseback trail rides and horse-drawn wagon rides will occur on Saturday, September 11. A four-hour trail ride begins at 1 p.m., with a two-hour ride starting at 2 p.m. Multiple wagon rides also leave at 2 p.m. for those without a horse.

Many participants camp at the ranch and enjoy a full weekend of activities, including a fun speed show and DJ Friday evening and live music Saturday evening with Stolen Horses Band. A silent auction tent will operate throughout the weekend. The event concludes with a pancake breakfast from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Camp sites are available for the weekend.

Event organizer Denise Clinton, DeHaas’s daughter, is excited for the 2021 event.

“Each year is special, and this year we should be able to cross the $250,000 mark in funds raised to fight cancer,” she said. “We’re so thankful to the campers, horse riders and contributors to Ride for a Cure—this money truly makes a difference for area cancer patients.”

Clinton said organizers are gratefully accepting auction items and monetary donations and riders will again be seeking sponsors. New this year are $20 coffee cup planters available all summer at the D Bar D Rach store, with all proceeds going to Ride for a Cure.

After a decade of hosting the event, D Bar D Ranch owner Don Beach said he has been humbled by the generosity of those who participate year after year.

“The support from our ranch family, our volunteers and the community has been incredible,” Beach said. “Cancer affects all of us in one way or another, and it has personally affected us at the ranch. We do this to help other cancer patients, and to thank those at the cancer center who devote their careers to the important work of helping treat patients.”

“We’re so appreciative,” said Marissa Plouff, health and wellness coordinator of the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center. “Ride for a Cure has grown into such an amazing event, and we join the ranch staff in inviting everyone to enjoy the fun and contribute to this great cause.”

Organizers will make necessary social distancing decisions due to COVID-19 closer to the event date.

Businesses and individuals willing to donate a silent auction item can call the ranch at 231.832.3143 or drop off the item on site at 6746 East 64^th Street in Chase.

Pledge sheets to sponsor riders, or for riders to collect support are available online at www.dbardranchmichigan.com.

Spectrum Health System, a not-for-profit, integrated health system, is committed to improving the health and wellness of our communities. We live our mission every day with 31,000 compassionate professionals, 4,600 medical staff experts, 3,300 committed volunteers and a health plan serving 1 million members. Our talented physicians and caregivers are privileged to offer a full continuum of care and wellness services to our communities through 14 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, 150 ambulatory sites and telehealth offerings. We pursue health care solutions for today and tomorrow that diversify our offerings. Locally-governed and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, our health system provided $550 million in community benefit in calendar year 2019. Thanks to the generosity of our communities, we also received $37 million in philanthropy during calendar year 2019 to support research, academics, innovation and clinical care. Spectrum Health has been recognized as one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics®, part of IBM Watson Health^TM.

Contact:
John Norton
Corporate Communications Manager
Office: 231.592.4387
Mobile: 231.580.1079
Email: john.norton@corewellhealth.org