Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/738714
10 nNovember 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by Julie DeHerrera SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, SEP. 24—Ominous gray clouds loomed overhead, however the possibility of rain didn't deter the hundred plus leather-clad bikers who rode for the 18th annual You Are Not Forgotten Toy Run. The Utah Motorcycle Foundation of America (UMF or Ugly Mother F*****, as members like to be called) sponsored this charity motorcycle run. It is a way for bikers to show their generosity for patients who temporar- ily call Primary Children's Hospital (PCH) home. Salt Lake City Harley-Davidson was the starting point for the ride. The beautiful thing was that regis- tration only cost a toy. Who couldn't afford that? "Every year we bring toys to the kids who are admitted to the hospital," said Brandon Morris, UMF member. "We bring Christmas in September." "I grew up having surgeries as a kid," said Morris, whose voice trailed off before heading off to attend to UMF business. This ride is cathartic for Morris. His wife, Jenny, explained that Brandon has had multiple hip replace- ments during his life, the last one being 5 weeks ago, due to a bone dis- ease and extremely poor blood circula- tion. Their two-year-old son, Kayson, was eager to participate in the toy-giv- ing and brought comic books for the older kids at the hospital. Families dropped off bags full of Play-Doh, dolls, action hero fi gures, art supplies, coloring books with crayons and more. Those who didn't tote a toy, donated cash or checks. Whereupon, UMF members will plan a city-wide shopping spree or hand over checks to the hospital. In 2015, the club's efforts helped out 82,974 children at the hospital. PCH is a renowned pediatric hos- pital in the Intermountain West that serves fi ve states. It provides treatment and care for children and teens that suffer from a simple fever to heart transplants and to complex ailments such as cancer. Undoubtedly, the cool, crisp weather played a role in how many participants showed up. Nonetheless, this ride was going to take place. The rain never came and the clouds parted allowing some sun to peek through Tracy Woodard, a.k.a. Stinger and UMF member for 16 years, was gra- cious enough to allow me to ride on the back of his 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. We joined the masses who revved up their engines for the 9-mile ride to the hospital on the hill above the University of Utah campus. Unifi ed Police Department led the ride and blocked major intersections so that bikers would arrive safely. Security directed the motorcy- clists to park at Eccles Outpatient building of PCH where a banner on the building welcomed bikers. Marie Hendriksen, a.k.a. "Dirty Marie" as evidenced by the patch on her leather vest, is the Gift In Kind Coordinator for the hospital and was eager to hug or shake hands with everyone. Santa Claus (as if he needed the ID rocker on the back of his vest) and his UMF helpers hoisted toys from the back of a van to carts as they were wheeled front and center to the building. After a group photo, bikers gath- ered around the dais for a few words from Hendriksen. "Sixteen hundred children are diagnosed with heart problems in a year. Three children are diagnosed a week with cancer. On any given day, 60 children are being cared for with cancer. Six hundred patients are seen in a year," stated Hendriksen. "These are things that as adults we barely can deal with." "One of the things that you make possible is to have these kids be kids. To be able to play and have fun," she added. Hendriksen thanked the bikers' fundraising efforts in gather- ing toys and supplies that will benefi t the patients. Many of those items will line the shelves of the playroom, a large space that sees 400 volun- teers on a weekly basis who see 52 patients a day. One of those patients was Aaron Reed-Coffi ng, age 7, who remembered the bikers from last year when he was halfway through chemotherapy. Aaron is now seven months cancer free. His mother, Laura, told the crowd that in November 2014, their family's lives were turned upside down. "Aaron was diagnosed with brain cancer [Medulloblastoma]," said Laura. "It was found that morning and by evening, we were up here for sur- gery. The toys he had in his room were the most amazing gift ever. It moti- vated him to sit up and do things he might not be able to do. It enabled him to be a kid again and that little bit of normalcy in that eight-day period just hit us hard and was amazing." Laura said that Aaron is a pretty funny kid and likes to tell jokes. Aaron was then prompted to tell one to the bikers. "Why don't women like hot sauce?" said Aaron. "Because they're already hot!" Aaron also uttered a heartfelt thanks to the bikers who responded with more applause and a chorus of "You're very welcome!" In conclusion, Laura and her fam- ily expressed gratitude for the outpour- ing of biker love and support for the hospital. "Primary Children's Hospital is more than just a hospital. It becomes our home and the staff becomes fam- ily," said Laura. "As past, present and future families, we just want to say thank you for this gift and how much you care. It means the world to us!" At the end of the ceremony, a $3,000 check was presented by the United Association Local 140 Pipefi tters, Plumbers HVAC & R, Salt Lake City. 4 18TH ANNUAL YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN TOY RUN The healing power of a toy PCH gets a jump on the holidays Santa and the Coffi ng family Marie Hendriksen with a donation check presented by the United Association Local 140 Pipefi tters, Plumbers HVAC & R, Salt Lake City