As many of you know from our last issue, we are doing our part to help in the fight against breast cancer. All of us on staff supposed that it was because he was so impressed with talking to Brenda Fox for our cover story last month, but his ol' lady assures us it's just because he like giving his own version of "self examinations". Be that as it may, I went to do my part by covering an event that was held at the Slip Knot in Punta Gorda to benefit the Kathy McAndrews Cancer Fund.

     If you don't live in the area, the Slip Knot is a local favorite with the bikers. They have done a lot of remodeling to the place and it's really a great place to go an party. Their outdoor deck area will make you feel right at home and it's a good place to unwind from the day's hassles. It was a great place to have this event for Kathy.

     Kathy moved here to the Port Charlotte area in the '80s and has worked mostly as a bartender for the last 19 years. She's a well known person to the local riding community and always trying to help out others. She has raised money for the Red Cross, volunteered time at The Learning Center helping to organize and work many benefits for others. Now she needs the help of those same people she's given to over the years.

     Kathy has been diagnosed with a rare cancer Neuroendocrine Tumor. Because of the rarity of this particular type of cancer, there are no foundations that can help pay for the chemo treatments or expensive medicines that she needs so badly. So some of her friends decided to put on this benefit and to seek help from the local businesses. The first to jump on the bandwagon and help out was Black Widow Harley Davidson of Port Charlotte. They supplied a 2008 FXDL fully loaded Dyna Low Rider to be raffled off. The tickets for the raffle were printed courtesy of Quality Printing and were available by the day of the event. They are selling the raffle tickets for $100 apiece, with a limited number of 500 tickets to be sold. That's not bad, $100 to help out Kathy and a 1 in 500 chance to win a hot new bike!

     When I got to the Slip Knot, I headed inside with all this background info rolling around my brainpan. I figured I would get more info to go with it. The problem was, as soon as I walked in the door I saw several people I know. That's not a bad thing, it just meant I got caught up in several different conversations and forgot the questions I had to ask and relaxed into having a good time. There were several things set up around the outdoor deck area that they were going to raffle or auction off to raise more money for Kathy. Everyone was in a festive mood and I watched several people go up and buy tickets for the motorcycle giveaway. There was also a lot of food provided, so I decided to sample some of the cooking. I was impressed! They had hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken and a very good bar-b-que pork.

    All in all, this was a great day, a good place to have the event and a good cause to contribute to. I tried to get some final figures from the people who put the event on, but they didn't have exact figures yet. I was told that they still have about 350 tickets left for the motorcycle drawing. The bike drawing won't be until August 17th at the Slip Knot at 3:00 pm, so you still have time to get your ticket and get in on the drawing. You can buy tickets for this drawing at the Slip Knot, the Marine Bank in both Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda and at Chubby's Tavern in Port Charlotte. I was also told that what money they did raise at this event was enough to pay some bills and put some food in the refrigerator for Kathy McAndrews and her family. It's a good start, but they want to do more and there is SO much more needed. If you can help or want more info contact E.J. at (941) 456-3025.

William K.