Breast cancer battle rolls on in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – An organization founded by a local woman has scheduled a motorcycle run this weekend to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer.Susan Bishop, who founded the Cure for Cleavage Committee, said she started her group several years ago after a neighbor was diagnosed with breast cancer.Bishop, president of Cure for Cleavage Committee, Inc., admits the run and the name of the organization is a little unusual but she hopes it draws public attention to breast cancer treatment.”This fundraising format may be unusual,” she said. “But we hope it will serve to involve and inform many more people than would ordinarily be drawn to the cause by other traditional fundraising means, especially given the state of the economy.”The second annual bike run is Sunday at 1 p.m. and will depart from the parking lot of VFW Post 1240 in Swampscott.Bishop said all proceeds from the third annual bike run would be donated to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and the North Shore Medical Center Cancer Walk.Bishop added the event is an all-volunteer effort and that all proceeds would go towards finding a cure for breast cancer.”Last year we had about 75 bikers participate,” she said. “This year we hope to double that. It’s wonderful to see bikers from all over New England participating in this event to raise money to find a cure for breast cancer. We hope to raise $5,000 from this event.”Mike Butler, who is also one of the organizers, is riding for a third time. Butler said he got involved three years ago after a neighbor was diagnosed with breast cancer.”She asked neighbors to donate money so she could participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer,” Butler said. “So a group of us started the Cure for Cleavage to raise funds. I led the bike run last year. It takes about two hours and it was a fun ride. We had good support from area police departments so there are very few stops. We don’t go super fast or anything. We average 25- to 35-miles an hour. It’s a nice comfortable ride and the roads are paved.”The motorcycle rally will go from Swampscott to Essex and back – rain or shine. Participating bikers should meet in the VFW parking lot, 8 Pine St. at 11:30 a.m. and the motorcade will depart at 1 p.m. The fee to participate in the motorcade is $20 per bike and $5 per passenger, which includes a T-shirt and a cookout following the ride. Anyone wishing to participate in the ride should register in the VFW parking lot the morning of the event.Bishop said the cookout at the VFW Post, which should start around 3 p.m., is open to the public and a $5 donation is requested.For further information, call Bishop at 617-791-4053.