“You have cancer.” They are dreaded words that strike terror into the life of an individual. St. Clair County resident Candi George recently heard these dreaded words from her doctor. Her fear was driven deeper as she had no health insurance to access treatment.

George is the mother of a 4-year-old son, Braylan and wasn’t willing to give up her fight. She began the search for help. George pled her case to a Birmingham area medical oncologist. The doctor, moved by the 44-year-old mother’s plight, took on the battle against the rare mantle cell lymphoma that was attacking George’s body. An area hospital agreed to provide George with treatment to eradicate the diseased cells with another physician overseeing her treatments there. Treatments will begin the week of May 24 in Birmingham.

Now, the community is taking up George’s cause. Area businessman, Van Minor and his wife Darlene, began organizing concerned citizens in an effort to offset the cost of her care.

“There is no assistance available in St. Clair County. The American Cancer Society will provide assistance with transportation or gas money for transportation but that is all that is out there,”  Minor said. “We are asking the community to come out to events, make donations or donate items for raffle or prizes.”

Organizers plan to make this an annual event providing help to a person each year in George’s situation.

On Friday, May 21 and Saturday, May 22 there will be a multi-family yard sale held next door to Club Fitness on Highway 411 in Moody. On June 26 there will be a Poker Run Bike Ride. Riders will register at the Central Club from 8   to 9 a.m. Kicks stand up will follow the issuing of the first card with a ride to the Dew Drop In. The second card and a breakfast buffet will await riders at the Dew Drop In. From there, the ride will proceed to Eagle Vision Cycles on Chandler Mountain. The riders will then draw their third card and door prizes will be awarded. The riders will then make their way to Dry Riders for the fourth card and additional door prizes. A final journey returning to The Central Club will end the run. The fun will just be warming up from there. The Central will host dinner for the riders and the fifth card will be issued. There will be prizes, drawings for Harley helmets with headsets and a karaoke contest beginning at 5 p.m.

There will also be a bike show at 7 p.m. with three prize-winning bikes for each category. The band “4th and One” will provide live entertainment from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with all proceeds being donated to the Candi George fund. Non-riders will pay a $5 cover charge at the door. A $20 registration per bike fee includes the driver and one poker hand, meals on the run stops as well as door charge for the night at The Central Club. Wrist bands will be provided. There is an additional $5 fee for a passenger. A poker hand for the passenger is $5 more. Karaoke contestants and bike show contestants pay a $5 entry fee. There will be bake sale items and much more.

There is an account established at Regions Bank for donations.

Area business sponsors include: The Central Club, Eagle Vision Cycles, Dew Drop In, Dry Riders, Check N Go, Smith Printing, Birmingham Budweiser and Frog’s Ink House.

Anyone willing to provide assistance should contact Van Minor by email at vanism@aol.com or phone (205) 368-3934 or (205) 699-3015.