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Bikers ride to help family in need

Ingrid Mezo

(10/4) Scotty Harbaugh, 4, and his family now have a better chance of treating his inoperable brain tumor, thanks to Scotty’s Ride, which took place last weekend in Emmitsburg. The event that included a motorcycle ride and poker run raised around $11,000, but not all figures were available by The Gazette’s deadline.

Scotty’s great uncle and aunt, Kerry and Valerie Shorb, organized the event which was sponsored by American Legion Post No. 121 and My Father’s Footsteps Hair Design.

Scotty, of Fairfield, Pa., was diagnosed with a brain tumor more than two years ago and also has an associated seizure disorder and developmental delay, according to a Web site dedicated to him.

He has undergone 22 months of chemotherapy, but has been able to attend school and maintain a good quality of life, according to the Web site.

A setback occurred on May 31, when he suffered from a head bleed and underwent several medical procedures before placement of a permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt on June 6, according to the Web site.

About 250 people on more than 100 motorcycles participated in the poker run to help pay for Scotty’s medical expenses, Kerry Shorb said.

‘‘It rained, but I tell you the people were just so excited about riding," he said. ‘‘Nobody complained. Everybody just rode through, and we had a wonderful time absolutely. It took a lot for these people to keep going, but they did."

While many of the people who participated were from the Thurmont and Emmitsburg area, riders came out from as far as State College, Pa., Baltimore, Westminster, Keedysville, Gettysburg, Pa., and elsewhere, Shorb said.

Scotty attended the morning registration and returned in the afternoon, along with his parents, grandparents and great-grandmother.

While the poker run helped raise money for Scotty’s medical bills, the Shorbs also paid for $530 in prizes for participants. The first-place winner received $300, second place received $200, and third place received $100.

The person with the worst poker hand got a consolation prize of $30. In addition, the Shorbs distributed 50 door prizes.

‘‘We would really like to express our thanks to everybody for having so much respect for our property," Shorb said.

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