Lady Bikers Aid Camp for Cancer Kids

This year's theme at Camp Quality -- which serves kids with cancer and their families -- in tiny East Jordan, Mich., is "superheroes." But the real superheroes aren't the cartoon kind, they're the 100 or so Lady Bikers riding "full-dressed hogs," which is the nickname for fully tricked-out Harley-Davidson motorcycles with cowlings, two back tires and every manner of accessory imaginable.

Every August for nine years the Lady Bikers, a motorcycle club for women riders, has visited the Michigan camp with their impressive machines to give the kids rides, according to an article by Jane Booze in Charlevoix County News.

The day is all about helping the children have fun despite the limitations imposed on them by disease. And the day fits nicely with the overall mission of nonprofit Camp Quality, which started nearly 30 years ago with one location and has grown to have camps in 55 locations worldwide and 19 countries.

At the camp, it's all about the kids. Each camper is paired with a companion who works to see that the camper has the best experience possible, according to the camp's Web site. The close bonds between campers and companions often lasts for years.

On the ladies' annual visit, the whole town turns out. The event has grown so much that East Jordan has given it an official name, Lady Bikers Day. As part of the event, Lady Bikers ride with campers parade-style through town. A master motorcyclist gives a demonstration downtown, and that's followed up by a hot dog dinner for all.

But it's not all fun and games. Last year, the Lady Bikers raised $17,000 for Camp Quality. This year, the ladies say, they hope to beat that amount.

Photo courtesy of ladybikerday.com