About Us
RIDEYELLOW, a charity bike ride, was founded by Ann White-Spunner and Mary Trufant to raise awareness of the prevalence of cancer in our community and to draft grassroots support for our mission of inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer.
Officially in only it's third year, the wheels have been turning in the growth of this idea since 2005. It started out as a need to do something, and here's the story.
2005
Mary wanted to do something to honor her mother, “J” Trufant, who died of cancer in October of 1998. The Lance Armstrong Foundation was hosting its annual Ride for the Roses fundraiser in October 2005. The date of the ride was on the anniversary of her mom's death. Ann White-Spunner and Mary began soliciting funds from anyone they came into contact with - raising $3500.00. Overwhelmed and satisfied, they felt they should "take a break" from fundraising.
2006
Their friend Sharon Meeks received her second diagnosis of breast cancer. Ann and Mary knew immediately they had a call to action: "cancer doesn’t take a break and neither can we"! Within 6 months, over $20,538.00 was raised. With Sharon in tow, they headed to Philadelphia to participate in the first ever LiveSTRONG Challenge.
A check was presented to the Lance Armstrong Foundation for over $20K. Ann and Mary rode the 40 mile route. Sharon and friends welcomed them home at the finish!
2007
The "charge" became even more personal when Mary's father, Charles Trufant, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Additionally, we were introduced to our new friend Krisanna Roberts, the coolest 13 year old girl ever! She is St. Jude's longest survivor of AT/RT – a rare childhood cancer.
The goal was set ($30K) and everyone on the team was challenged to dream even bigger. Knowing that they needed to do something more to raise that kind of money, Ann suggested that a charity bike ride be started in lower Alabama!
RIDEYELLOW 2007
The first RIDEYELLOW was held in Loxley, AL on June 16, 2007. There were about 300 riders and a little over $30,000 was raised. Mary's Dad and Krisanna Roberts were the honorary "starters" of the ride. The proceeds were donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
To honor Mary's Dad, it was decided that the RIDEYELLOW bike ride would be held annually on the Saturday before Father’s Day.
RIDEYELLOW 2008
The City of Bay Minette, AL became "home" to RIDEYELLOW in 2008. A fantastic event with over 430 riders and 85 volunteers, RIDEYELLOW donated $30,000 to the Lance Armstrong Foundation and over $3,600 to the Mobile Area Ronald McDonald House. Sadly, Sharon Meeks passed away on April 29, 2008 and Mary's Dad passed away on May 17, 2008.
RIDEYELLOW 2009
On June 20th, RIDEYELLOW 2009 once again took over the City of Bay Minette, AL. With over 465 riders and 125 volunteers – it was the biggest and best yet! Over $40,000 was raised to donate to charity. The beneficiaries were the USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, the USS HOPE and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
We can’t wait to see what RIDEYELLOW 2010 brings. Our theme is HOPE to honor Krisanna Roberts, who passed away at the age of 15 on November 4, 2009. We are pleased to add Camp Rap-A-Hope as a beneficiary. USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital’s, the USS HOPE will also be a local beneficiary. Nationally, it will be the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Please join us on Saturday, June 19th in Bay Minette, AL.
