PCF outlasts rain for 4th annual Bike-a-thon
Purchase moms join in the fight against children’s cancer
June 11, 2004

Sean Wollin, Jordana Cohen and Lizzy Stone watch as Sun-ee the Golden Clown whips up some balloon animals.

Article and photos by Alex Malecki
WHITE PLAINS - Not even the weather could put a damper on the Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s (PCF) fourth annual Bike-a-thon.

Volunteers and bikers gathered at the County Center on Sunday to ride the Bronx River Parkway in support of PCF and its continuing efforts to eradicate pediatric cancer. But even before the first bicycle tire touched asphalt, PCF had already topped last year’s fundraising totals.

A little rain didn’t deter these stalwart riders.

“It’s so heartwarming,” Purchase’s Darla Rohde said of the families and friends that braved the droplets to unit in a common cause.

Rohde said the unwavering dedication of the women in her own community “amazed me endlessly.” In fact, it was two lovely ladies from Purchase - Susan Cohen and Stefanie Mittman - who chaired the day’s event.

“This was the most successful Bikeathon to date,” Cohen said.

Proceeds from Sunday’s fundraiser will be donated to the new Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at the Westchester

Robin Chance gives young Alicia Kaufmann a push down the parkway.

Medical Center. Mittman said the money is being used to make the infusion rooms where those diagnosed with cancer go to receive their chemotherapy more child-friendly.

“It’s like a storybook castle,’ Mittman said of the hospital, which opened its doors for the first time this past weekend.

A committee of 20 women worked day-in and day-out for the past six months organizing the Bike-a-thon. They also received a little help from volunteers such as Arielle Fried, a Louis M. Klein Middle School sixthgrader who distributed brochures and sold raffle tickets throughout Harrison as part of her Bat Mitzvah.

“I hope one day no child has to face cancer,” Fried said.

Harrison’s Arielle Fried draws the next winning raffle ticket from Purchase’s Darla Rohde.

And to make sure that becomes a reality, PCF and its benefactors have a number of events lined up for the summer ranging from its Invitational Tournament (golf, tennis, bridge and games) at Wykagyl Country Club later this month to the annual Toy Drive. Morton’s Steakhouse, which provided some tasty fare at Sunday’s Bike-athon, already has more than 100 people signed up for a July 6 benefit at its White Plains location.

“This is just a small chapter in the big picture,” Rohde said Sunday.

A picture that grows clearer with each passing day.

For more information on the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and its upcoming events, visit www.pcfweb.org.