They Rode 'Because Of Ezra'

The first Because of Ezra Benefit Ride was held May 7, starting at Grace Family Church on Van Dyke Road in Lutz. Riders stopped at Cycle Gear on Fletcher Avenue, Motorsports of Tampa on Florida Avenue, Performance Honda on Wesley Chapel Boulevard and finally ended their journey at Gulf Coast Harley-Davidson on State Road 54 in New Port Richey.  

Among the more than 100 registered motorcyclists and their riders were about 13 Land O' Lakes residents who are active members of the Riders of Grace motorcycle club. Riders gathered together for the 53-mile afternoon ride which concluded with a barbeque lunch, music, chance drawings and a silent auction.

The Because of Ezra foundation was founded by Kyle and Robyn Matthews in honor of their son Ezra. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma at the age of 13 months and despite treatment, which included removal of the tumor, chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant, lost his battle to cancer in November 2010.  

Neuroblastoma is a cancerous tumor that develops from the nerve tissue. It affects one out of 100,000 children usually before the age of 5 and currently has no known cure.  

The motorcycle benefit ride was designed to help raise money and awareness with the hopes of finding a cure.  

For more information on the Because of Ezra organization, visit their website at www.becauseofezra.org.  

Information on the Riders of Grace motorcycle club can be located on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/RidersOfGrace