Big hearts on bikes rise money for local sick child

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on June 7, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Next weekend marks the Ridin’ For Kids Foundations’ annual charity bike run, inviting all those with motorcycles to take a ride throughout southeastern Alberta to support a sick child and her family.

This year’s ride will support nine-year-old Myah Litowsky, who has been diagnosed with multiple rare autoimmune diseases, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus, juvenile dermatomyositis and interstitial lung disease. She also has bone complications, including spinal fractures.

The funds raised during the fifth annual run and the event after the fact will go directly to Litowsky’s family, said Ivan Reimer, a member of the Ridin’ For Kids team.

On June 14, those looking to ride will meet at the Irvine Hotel for a pancake breakfast, which Reimer expressed immense gratitude to the owners of the Hotel and the volunteers who will help to run the event, starting at 9 a.m.

At 11 a.m, it will be kickstands up, and those participating will ride along the route before finishing off at Dayzoff Pub in Medicine Hat.

“There will be a huge silent auction, multiple live auction items, door prizes, live music, just a lot of fun and ways to support the family,” said Reimer.

This year, they have been overwhelmed with the generosity of the community in the sheer number of items for the live and silent auctions, and they are incredibly grateful for everyone’s work volunteering, donating, or even simply participating in the event when the time comes.

Last year, they were able to donate over $73,000 to the family they supported, and hope to be able to do something similar for the Litowsky family.

“We’ve got support from all over Alberta. There are bikers that come down from Edmonton, there are bikers coming from Grand Prairie this year. There’s bikers coming from Calgary, from Regina, from Saskatoon, and we expect to see about 300 bikes this year in total on this run,” said Reimer.

He noted that they will have an Interac machine available for those seeking to participate in the auction who may not carry cash. Those who cannot attend the event but wish to donate can send funds via e-transfer to ridinforkids@gmail.com.

In addition, the Ridin’ For Kids team will be in the parking lot of Saamis Heights Car & Dog Wash and Reg’s Homestyle Meats & Deli Saturday, hosting a charity barbeque from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. All proceeds from the barbeque and from car wash sales today will go towards supporting the family.

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