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Motorcycle ride to raise funds for local hospice

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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer 2:23 AM Saturday, June 6, 2009

HAMILTON — She is a 62-year-old registered nurse.

She volunteers at Hospice of Hamilton.

And when the weather is just right, she revs up her Harley and alongside her husband rides her bike for hours.

Lois Shobe of Trenton rides mostly because it makes her feel free.

But on Sunday, June 7, she and hundreds of others will ride to rise money for the first Ride for Hospice of Hamilton, which will benefit the nonprofit agency’s indigent fund that ensures uninsured and underinsured terminally ill patients receive care.

“Riders get a bad rap. But I love to ride and I love to ride for a good cause,’’ Shobe said.

Shobe, who helped organize the motorcycle ride, has been volunteering at hospice for 13 years.

Her passion for helping those facing death began after watching her mother die in excruciating pain in 1991 from multiple myeloma, cancer of the plasma cells or bone marrow.

“We didn’t have hospice in my hometown and I never wanted anyone suffer like that. I never want someone to die alone and feel that they weren’t cared for.’’

Patients who can’t afford end-of-life care shouldn’t have to suffer either, Shobe said.

She said the fundraiser is needed now more than ever because Hospice of Hamilton is seeing an increase in patients struggling to afford care because of the economic downturn.

Aaron Hornsby of Tri-County Harley-Davidson, who has been riding motorcycles since he was 12, will lead the 60-mile ride.

Hornsby, 72, of Woodsdale, is participating in the event to give back to hospice because of the care staff provided his son two years ago.

“He lived a week out there,’’ Hornsby said. “They kept him comfortable and it meant a whole lot (to me). I knew he didn’t have any pain. They counseled us and made sure we were all right. They are good people and when they asked me to help I couldn’t say no.’’

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or tlatta@coxohio.com.

How to go

What: Ride for Hospice of Hamilton

When: Sunday, June 7; Registration begins at 9 a.m.; Motorcycle ride starts at noon.

Where: Ride begins at Tri-County Harley-Davidson, 5960 Dixie Highway, Fairfield. The ride continues to Governor Bebb Preserve to Charlie’s Throttle Stop, 7161 Dixie Highway, Fairfield.

Cost: $15 individual; $20 per couple

More info: (513) 874-4343

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