Cruise for Cancer donates $174K to nine organizations

By Gracelyn Giese

Contributing Writer

GREEN BAY – On Tuesday, May 28, the Vandervest Harley-Davidson Duck Blind Event Building was full as the community commemorated the past 20 years of Jerry Parins’ “Cruise for Cancer” and a check presentation to nine different cancer organizations.

The annual ride began in 2003 when Jerry Parins, then head of security for the Green Bay Packers, was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Dixie Kinnard, of the Vandervest family, explained that Vandervest Harley-Davidson — the Packerland chapter of Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) — and the Green Bay Packers came together “To put on a ride to show our support for Jerry and create awareness for those dealing with cancer in northeast Wisconsin. The ride has evolved over the years and has gained support from other local businesses and many individual donors.”

The 20th Cruise for Cancer brought in $174,000 in funds from the 2023 ride, motorcycle raffle, Drift Inn Cruise for Cancer Benefit Event and individual donations.

The funds were split between nine groups at four different donation levels.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Ribbon of Hope were each awarded $7,000 while Colton’s Cure and Ovarian Cancer Community Outreach received $10,000, and $20,000 each was awarded to Unity Hospice, Bellin Child Life and St. Vincent Child Life and a generous donation of $40,000 was gifted to Bellin Health Oncology Patient Fund and St. Vincent St. Mary’s Compassionate Care.

Parins spoke on the importance of community for those battling cancer, “They need us right now. Cancer, it’s an unknown. They need us there.”

Parins and Cruise for Cancer organizers extended their support to six local families who are actively battling cancer or have recently finished their treatment by inviting them on this year’s ride, which was held on Sunday, June 9.

To learn more about the Cruise for Cancer, visit cruiseforcancer.org.