WORTHINGTON -- Darlene Vortherms knows what it takes to be a breast cancer survivor.
She watched her mom go through treatment at age 70, and then her oldest sister, Marge, went through radiation and chemotherapy at the age of 50 for breast cancer.
The odds were good that Vortherms and her sister Rose would develop breast cancer after they were each diagnosed with fibrocystic disease. As a result, both women had a bilateral mastectomy when they reached age 49.
"The doctor said it wasn't a matter of if I were going to have cancer, it was a matter of when I was going to have cancer," said Vortherms, who had her surgery last September. The bilateral mastectomy brought about a peace of mind that she hadn't previously been able to enjoy -- a relief that she would never be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Today, Vortherms and her husband, Bob Record, are helping to organize the first-ever Wyoming Snow Run to benefit the Pink Ribbon Riders. The ride is slated for April 4-5 at Togwotee Mountain Lodge in Moran, Wyo., where Record is a guide. The event raises money for breast cancer patients, and is given directly to those affected so they can help pay for transportation expenses to and from medical appointments, purchase wigs and help pay doctor bills when insurance doesn't cover everything.
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Vortherms and Record are planning the event with Pink Ribbon Riders founder Jody McKay. McKay and a snowmobiler friend organized the first snow run in 2005 in memory of a friend they lost to breast cancer. Since then, organized runs have become an annual event in Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Minnesota and now, Wyoming. Minnesota hosted its first run in late December.
Several snowmobiling enthusiasts from the area go snowmobiling in Wyoming, said Vortherms, and she hopes some of them can join in on the early April benefit run.
The two-day event will feature rides for both the advanced mountain rider and those who simply want to enjoy the sights of the Grand Teton mountain range that surrounds the Togwotee Mountain Lodge. The various rides include the Hooter Haulers, Mo Hills, B Cup, A Cup, The Grand Tetons, Speed Bumps and the Sight-seers.
"The countryside around there is beautiful," said Vortherms, who has snowmobiled the Grand Tetons for the past 11 years. "You see wildlife -- you see a lot of moose, and there are fox and wolves."
Pre-registration is still being accepted for the ride, and discounted stays at the Togwotee Mountain Lodge are available. A reduced rate is also offered for snowmobile rentals for those who don't want to haul their own sled to Wyoming. The registration fee, along with any other donations collected, go directly to breast cancer patients across the U.S.
"There's a lot of men who snowmobile who have wives, sisters or mothers who have had breast cancer," said Vortherms. "Even men get breast cancer."
Recipients of the money raised by the Pink Ribbon Riders must apply for funding. Information is available on the group's Web site, www.pinkribbonriders.com .
"(The ride) is just a good way to get people out there, have some fun ... and support a good cause," said Vortherms. "It's just giving back to people who are in need of help."
