This year marks the 5th Anniversary of the Ride for Randi. A friend, Daughter, Sister, Wife and Mother, Randi held a special place in so many hearts. Randi died on October 21, 2005 when she was thrown from her horse, she was 24 years old and her daughter Morgan was not quite 2. We have set aside a day each year since, to remember her and celebrate her life by raising money for a good cause in and around the local community of Hardwick. Over the past 4 years we have been able to donate to the Hardwick Elementary School, The Angel of Hope and the Hardwick Playground. This year the proceeds will be donated to the Hardwick Elementary School for books and to the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Mary Lane Hospital. 

Randi’s ride will be held on August 14^th 2010.  We are again asking for help.  Any donations, either monetary or items for our drawings, are greatly appreciated.  Checks should be made payable to the Randi Lee Swistak-Stelmokas Memorial Fund (a return envelope has been supplied for your convenience).  If you have items for our drawing that can not be mailed, we would be happy to pick them up if you contact Betty Kay Sullivan at (413) 967-7534 or Martha Parker at (413) 813-5823 or Email us at info@4randi.com.

To be listed as a sponsor for the t-shirt and banner the deadline for donations will be July 25th.

Thank you for your support!

David Green, Penny Nicholas, Jack Sullivan,  Betty-Kay Sullivan, Martha Parker, Todd Prescott, Kelli Prescott & Jeanne Lavallee

If you would like to make a donation, click on the Donate button below

Berkshire Blanket, Ed Lubelczyk Family, Joe Boissy Family,

Laurie & Todd Coombs, Copy Cat Print Shop,

KMG Productions, Blackstone Apartments, Diane Smith

Hardwick House of Pizza, Masse Family, OR Staff at Mary Lane Hospital,

Alm & Son Septic Service

Left to right: Deb Gagnon, Development Manager BMLH; David Green, Ride for Randi Founder;

Lori Tuttle, RN, Baystate Regional Cancer Program; Blair Swistak; and Mary Ann Swistak

Five years ago, David Green started the Ride for Randi, to assure the Swistak family that Randi would not be forgotten.   A committee made up of several of Mike Swistak’s co-workers and friends from Quabbin Wire & Cable annually gather generous donations from local businesses and individuals in support of the Ride for Randi. 

This year the ride was dedicated in memory of their good friend and co-worker Mike as well as his daughter Randi.  The proceeds from this year’s ride benefited the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital, where Mike received care and the Hardwick Elementary School where Randi attended and later worked as a teacher’s aid. 

The group of 60 motorcyclists, led by a U-Mass Motorcycle Patrol Unit escort did more than complete a 85 mile long ride together.  The event also offered comfort to family and friends as they continue on their journey of healing from the loss of Randi and Mike.  “We are grateful for all the support and love shown to us by David and the dedicated group that participate in the Ride for Randi,” said Mary Ann Swistak.   “We find great comfort in knowing the ride will also help others get through difficult times in their lives as well,” said Swistak as she reflects on the $3000. donation made to the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital as a result of the work lead by Green and the ride committee including, Penny Nicholas, Jack Sullivan, Betty-Kay Sullivan, Martha Parker, Todd Prescott, Kelli Prescott and Jeanne Lavallee.   

“Mike received outstanding care at the Baystate Regional Cancer Program at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital,” notes Swistak.  “Dr. Higby and his team of nurses who specialized in cancer care joined by the social worker and support staff offered him access to the most current cancer care, including evaluation, diagnostics, therapeutic intervention, chemotherapy all close to home.” 

Donald Higby, MD, who served as Chief of Hematology and Oncology at Baystate now dedicates much of his time providing patient care at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.  “While it is our primary goal to treat cancer, it is only part of the focus of our program,” said Dr. Higby. “There are also the very human issues to deal with as part of cancer treatment of any kind, including the distress over loss of health and independence, financial and family concerns, as well quality of life issues.  We work together to help meet the medical and social challenges that patients face with a cancer diagnosis.”

“Receiving care close to home at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital was important to Mike,” said Swistak.  “He was able to be near to our family, our friends and close to work.  There were great benefits to receiving medical care and support locally both during and after Mike’s cancer treatment.”

The area that Randi grew up in may be a small town, but there is nothing small about the power of love here that will keep Randi and Mike’s memory alive, said Green.