Cancer Survivor Convoy Kicks Off Midwest Pride In Your Ride

A semi convoy made its way to Earlville on Thursday night, carrying some very special passengers.

It was the official kickoff to Midwest Pride In Your Ride – a truck and tractor show that serves as a major fundraiser for the local Relay for Life and American Cancer Society. The event was started over ten years ago by Worthington trucker Eldon Jaeger, who wanted to do something in memory of his daughter, Brenda, who lost her fight against cancer.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of dollars has been raised through this annual event – with local cancer survivors in the spotlight every year, honoring their battle with the disease. The Thursday night convoy consists of five semis carrying five cancer survivors from Delaware County, who leave Manchester to meet up with five semis coming up from Dyersville that are carrying five cancer survivors from Dubuque County – they meet in the middle in Earlville and travel side-by-side down Earlville main street before heading out to Tri-State Raceway to mark the start of Midwest Pride In Your Ride.

Marcia Intorf of Delhi was one of those cancer survivors along for the ride.

Paul Roling of Manchester has his own cancer story too.

Delhi resident Bill Havertape says his cancer diagnosis came fairly recently.

Mary Ann Carradus says her battle with cancer started nearly forty years ago. 

Carradus says Thursday night’s convoy was her first time riding in a semi – and she considered it an honor.

Ellen Goldsmith of Delhi was the fifth cancer survivor who participated in Thursday night’s convoy. Midwest Pride In Your Ride runs this weekend at Tri-State Raceway in Earlville. It kicks off with a large Survivor Convoy Friday night at 5:30 pm (all cancer survivors are welcome to participate), with the truck pull following at 6 pm.

photos courtesy of Janelle Tucker/KMCH