I'm Riding For

Chazz Irwin

Last fall, I lost a longtime friend, Chazz, who had a rare form of Lymphoma. Having previously been in remission, the Cancer returned suddenly, acted quickly, and was not kind. There are many types of Cancer that we know so little about, including the one that Chazz had, and it is with cancer research that we hope to find answers. We find better beginnings and better ends, with research. While Chazz was an adult when he passed, he was and still is the child of his surviving parents. He was and is still someones' brother, someones' friend, and someones' love. Always a child at heart, he grew to have many friends and other important relationships with people who watched first-hand how Cancer affected him. Being an actor, he told me, with a smile, that he considered this his last act: A person living, and then dying, with a Cancer that no one quite understood. As a humble team of bikers, volunteers, and fundraisers, finding new ways to prevent and treat cancers are exactly why we ride every year. In addition to the many others that we know living with, or having had cancer, we pay tribute to Chazz’s memory. We hope to recognize Cancer’s effects on children, but also those who are not far removed from being children, those with children, those who love children, and everyone in their communities who knew them as children. Chazz always tried to have a direct impact on others; to make them laugh, and sing, and understand, right until the day he was gone. He also happened to be a big Golden Girls fan! So, this year please join The Golden Gears team in paying a special tribute to Chazz's memory. Help us help the Children’s Cancer Research Foundation by joining the team, donating, or reaching out to someone living with Cancer. And please, call your friends and tell them you love them. With love and hope, Golden Gears Team Captain, Jenny Buda