Michelle Cerone of Webster, N.Y. loved riding her motorcycle.  A passion that sprung from years riding with her husband, Michelle started riding her own bike more than six years ago.  Read More »

One local biker who has been touched by Live On. Ride On. is Aaron Shirk. Each year he promotes the campaign with his “Duane Shirk Memorial Poker Run” to honor his father, who gave the ‘Gift of Life.’  Here’s what Aaron has to say about his father and what riding means to him: Read More »

By Amy Fields

I am a nurse and respiratory therapist with OhioHealth. As a member of the medical community I have always been aware of the need for organ and tissue donation. Personally, it has always been an abstract concept — one that is good in theory, but will not be tested in my lifetime. All that changed, however, the day that I found out that my mom, Judy Rae Kern had developed Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis. She would need a liver and kidney transplant to survive. Suddenly, it all became so real to our family.

My mom has always been the rock in our family. To describe her is hard — it’s like trying to describe the scent of a rose or the blue of sky. You just had to meet her to truly experience her kind and giving nature. She and my Dad were married for 40 years and were best of friends and the loves of each other’s lives. Read More »

By Bill Laing, double lung transplant candidate

In 1994, I started having trouble breathing and a lung biopsy in 1996 revealed I had sarcoidosis, a condition that causes the immune system to attack the lungs.

For the next 15 years I was able to manage and live with the disease, but in December 2009, my difficulty breathing had progressed to the point that I could no longer do my daily tasks without using eight liters plus of oxygen with exertion and still stopping to catch my breath so I was listed for a double lung transplant. I was able to continue with my plumbing design work until November 2010 when being on time and having enough energy to last all day became too much for me, and my employer. I had to quit my job. I am on oxygen all of the time now, and spend my days time doing easier tasks, like playing Legos with my grandson, taking naps, and helping at church. Read More »

By Erica Kaufman, donor daughter

For as long as I can remember, my dad loved motorcycles.  He rode dirt bikes as a child and bought his first Harley in 2001. He was so proud of that bike! Whenever I traveled, I would make sure to buy him Harley shirts wherever I was.

My dad, Terry Kaufman, was definitely an amazing man.  A husband of 28 years to my mom, Kathy, a father to three and grandfather to two, he was the rock in our family.

As much as he loved motorcycles, he loved his family more.  He sold his beloved Harley so my mom could go back to college for a degree in elementary education.  That’s just the kind of man he was. Read More »

by James Sims II (kidney recipient)

I joined the Ohio National Guard back in the early 90s because my dad was in the military and growing up it was always something I wanted to do. After graduating from Officer Basic School, I applied to pilot training and soon learned the serious nature of a pending illness. A standard physical revealed that I had unusually high blood pressure and my plans quickly changed. Further tests revealed that my kidney function was deteriorating and, eventually, I would need a transplant. Read More »

by The Corea Family (Liver Recipient)

At the age of 11, Mike Corea was faced with his own mortality: he was told he would need a liver transplant to survive.

“When he was placed on the transplant list, his whole life changed,” said his mother, Lynda. “He made priorities and short-term goals and even wrote out his will twice!” Read More »

by Price Family

Since he was 12 years old, John Price always had a motorcycle. “From Suzukis to Harleys to Hondas,” said his wife, Debra, “I never knew him without one.”

John’s motorcycle was his escape. He would take the bike out in Cambridge, Ohio, without a destination in mind, feeling the wind against his face; he’d ride wherever the road took him. He enjoyed biking with family, frequently riding with his brothers, Tony and Marty, and taking his kids around the block. Read More »

by Tara Newton

After watching a Buckeye football game with friends in September 2007, Jim and Nora “Tip” McCourt decided to take one more ride before heading home to Waverly.

The couple had been riding together since 1991 and cruising was their passion. The McCourts visited 42 states on their Harley; they were regulars at area poker runs and charity rides and had participated in Rolling Thunder five times.

“You never saw Tip without a smile on her face when she was on that bike,” said Tara Newton, her daughter.  “She loved that bike.” Read More »

by Bob Lambert, Donor Brother (Heart)

“I’m happy that a deserving person like Tim received Patty’s heart,” said Bob Lambert of his sister’s heart-recipient-turned-biking-buddy.  “We couldn’t ask for anyone more caring.”

Patty Bruck was the type of person who lit up a room.  “She was personable and knew who she was.  It was tough losing her.  But knowing that Tim’s life was saved made it a little less painful,” said Bob. Read More »