Nine-year-old Myah Litowsky and her family were given more $76,500 that was raised during the 5th Annual Ridin' for Kids fundraiser, held earlier this month, during a presentation at Badlands Harley-Davidson Wednesday night. She is joined by members of the charity foundation in this handout photo.--HANDOUT PHOTO
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com
Nine-year-old Myah Litowsky, who is bravely battling multiple rare autoimmune diseases and suffers from bone complications that include a spinal fracture, was presented a gift of more than $76,500 raised during the fifth annual Ridin’ for Kids fundraiser, held earlier this month.
Before turning eight, Myah was diagnosed as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Lupus, and as her symptoms worsened, testing has revealed she also suffers from Juvenile Dermatomyositis, Interstitial Lung Disease and Osteopenia.
She uses a wheelchair for mobility and needs to travel to Calgary regularly to receive specialized care, translation and treatments, some of which are not insured and can be costly for the family.
“She is our rainbow,” says Myah’s mother. “She sees beauty in the world no matter how awful things are for her.”
On June 14, more than 220 bikers from across the province and parts of Saskatchewan gathered for a pancake breakfast at the Irvine Hotel to meet Myah and her family before hitting the road in her support.
The ride took bikers to multiple stops around the region, including Seven Persons, Hays Campgrounds and Redcliff, before wrapping up at DayzOff Pub for a live and silent charity auction wrap-up party.
Earlier this month the Saamis Heights Car and Dog Wash donated the proceeds from all car washes on June 7 to support the Litowsky family.
Wednesday night all the funds raised were gifted to the Litowsky family during a presentation held at Badlands Harley-Davidson.
“This is a perfect example of how amazing this community is,” said Ivan Reimer, president Ridin’ for Kids. “So incredible to see all the support.”
The annual motorcycle ride fundraiser seeks to change one family’s life each summer in the community by raising funds that are typically used to support a wide variety of aspects of their child’s care and treatment plans, purchase specialized medical equipment and support travel expenses.
This year, funds raised will help cover travel, treatment and uninsured medications for Myah. Myah also dreams of customizing her new wheelchair with turquoise paint and lights on her wheels.
“We want to thank all the donors, businesses and individuals who have made this such a success,” said Heather McCaig, promotions director Ridin’ for Kids. “We could not have done this without all of them.”
The charity motorcycle foundation, founded in Medicine Hat, will host its first ride outside the southern Alberta region in September, and will travel to Edmonton to raise money for a sick child in the province’s capital.
If you would like to support the Ridin’ For Kids Foundation, you can find them on Facebook, or via email at ridinforkids@gmail.com.
