Cancer survivor rides to benefit research

A seemingly routine tooth extraction in 2006 landed Fred Rosson at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

After several doctor visits, he got the diagnosis. He had stage four cancer in his throat, lymph nodes and lungs. He was given six months to live and little hope.

"The doctor said, 'If you have fences to mend, mend them. If you don't have a will, get a will.'"

Midway through chemotherapy, the cancer started going into remission. Six weeks later, Rosson said, it went totally into remission.

"It was truly Moffitt and the Lord."

Today, Rosson occasionally gets spots on his lungs, but thus far, that appears to be it. He is now taking a trial drug.

Rosson, 59, of Valrico, plans to show his appreciation by participating in the first Motorcycle Miles for Moffitt, a poker run scheduled Saturday to raise money for cancer research at the Tampa center.

He's had his Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic converted into a trike so he can continue to ride without being concerned he might lose his balance, a side effect of the chemo.

Rosson said he has taken several trips and rides his trike regularly with the BayLife Church Crossriders. This will be his first poker run.

Riders can sign up the morning of the event, which starts at Harley-Davidson of New Port Richey, 5817 State Road 54, with stops at Moffitt, Harley of Tampa and Clear Channel - and ends at Harley of Brandon, 9841 Adamo Drive.

The run costs $15, with an extra $5 for additional poker hands. The best hand wins $500 and the worst hand wins $50. All the money would be used for research at Moffitt, said Susan Meadows, spokeswoman for the event.

"We're hoping for 500 riders," Meadows said.

Retired Tampa Bay Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk is honorary chair for the event. Radical Randy and the Street Team will be the master of ceremonies and Party in the Kitchen will entertain in Brandon.

The last bike heads out at 11 a.m. and pulls into Brandon by 1 p.m. There will be a 50-50 drawing and basket drawings, Meadows said.

To learn more about the poker run, contact Meadows at (813) 745-1346.