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Police Are On The Run For Cancer Patient

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By VALERIE KALFRIN

vkalfrin@tampatrib.com

Published: November 6, 2008

TAMPA - Police officers and motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to hit the road this weekend for a "poker run" to raise money for a 10-month-old girl with cancer.

The Tampa Police Department is rallying around Bella Villanti, who is undergoing aggressive chemotherapy at St. Joseph's Hospital to overcome a 40 percent chance of survival. Bella's grandparents, Bryan and Cherie Adkins, are Tampa police officers.

Sgt. Eric Diaz already helped raise more than $2,000 to help the family with expenses by doing calisthenics for 24 hours.

The poker run kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday from Rapscallions restaurant on Bell Lake at 4422 Land O' Lakes Blvd., said Lt. Rob Lovering. Riders collect card hands at each stop.

The event winds through Pasco and Hernando counties, stopping at the Boyett's Grove citrus-and-wildlife attraction before ending at Beef O'Brady's, 27315 State Road 54 West, Wesley Chapel. Riders must complete the run by 4 p.m. Saturday.

A silent auction will be held at Beef O'Brady's afterward, with a seven-night stay in Orlando, a two-night stay at The TradeWinds Island Resort in St. Pete Beach and hand-rolled cigars among the items up for grabs, Lovering said.

Registration for the poker run will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Rapscallions. The cost is $20 per bike and $15 per passenger, Lovering said.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin can be reached at (813) 259-7800.

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