Cancer Survivor Convoys Meet in Earlville to Kick Off Midwest Pride In Your Ride

Five semis from Delaware County met up with five semis from Dubuque County on Thursday night to kick off this year’s Midwest Pride In Your Ride.

Each semi had a cancer survivor riding shotgun – and as they met at an Earlville intersection, they drove side-by-side through the heart of town on Northern Avenue before heading out to Tri-State Raceway, where this weekend’s truck and tractor show is taking place. 

Al Wilson of Manchester was one of those cancer survivors. He was first diagnosed nearly thirty years ago.

Manchester resident Joyce Curtis says she’s grateful to be in remission too.

Edgewood native Pete Sprague drove semi for many years when he started noticing some problems with his health in 2020.

Curtis says she also appreciates what Midwest Pride In Your Ride is doing – the event has raised over one million dollars for the American Cancer Society since it was started by Worthington trucker Eldon Jaeger in memory of his daughter fourteen years ago.

Wilson couldn’t agree more.

Wilson then climbed into the passenger seat of one of the semis – with Joyce Curtis, Pete Sprague, Mindy Hauser and Jason Deutmeyer all doing the same – as they unofficially kicked off this year’s Midwest Pride In Your Ride with Dubuque County’s survivors – Bill Pasker, Dave Kurt, Sherri Hogan, Donna Fenton, Michelle Jurgens, Mike Lehman and Shelly Kelchen. 

More cancer survivors will be gathering Friday night at 5:30 pm for a bigger survivor convoy on the Tri-State Raceway track – all cancer survivors are welcome.

Convoy Leaving Manchester

Meeting up with Dubuque County’s semi convoy in Earlville

photos and videos courtesy of Janelle Tucker/KMCH