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Wheels of fortune Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Fourteen-year-old Riley Mackay's Phoenix bedroom is stuffed full of animals given to him by doctors and nurses during his treatments for brain tumors. He and Lindsey Christy, a 13-year-old who also has a brain tumor, will be the beneficiaries of a D&S Harley-Davidson poker run Feb. 16. 'Poker run' benefit ride will aid medical funds for teens By MEG LANDERS Riley Mackay, who begins daily radiation treatments Monday for two brain tumors, smiles at the notion of 100 or so motorcyclists riding to help his family pay medical bills. "I think it's going to be pretty cool," says the 14-year-old Phoenix resident. "I like dirt bikes, but I think Harleys are pretty cool." Riley is one of two beneficiaries of a Bikers Have Heart Poker Run fund-raiser, sponsored by D&S Harley-Davidson in Phoenix. The event is scheduled for Feb. 16, rain or shine. Bikers can register between 10 a.m. and noon at Hanby Middle School in Gold Hill. The first poker hand is $10, with additional hands at $5 each. All proceeds will go toward helping with medical payments for Riley and Lindsey Christy, a 13-year-old girl from Gold Hill who also has a brain tumor. "Our goal is to raise as much money as possible to help these two with their medical bills," says Kim Martin, one of the owners of D&S Harley-Davidson. "We expect a minimum of a hundred motorcycles." What began for Riley as a seizure in November turned into a nightmare as he learned of two brain tumors and spent six-and-a-half weeks - including Christmas, New Year's and his 14th birthday - in hospitals. "They can't remove the tumor; it's embedded in his brain stem," says his mother, Taffy Mackay. "They hope to shrink it." With bills totaling $110,000 - and more to come - Mackay says insurance has indicated most of it won't be covered. She says she's thankful for the assistance. Riley, a Talent Middle School eighth-grader, likes painting, coloring and watching videos. He is able to walk around and have short visits with friends, but he says he's frustrated with the impact the tumors have had on his memory. "We went to the bank and I had to write my name and I got all upset because I couldn't remember what a K looks like," says the soft-spoken boy. He also has double-vision and says he trembles. "Like when I grab onto something like a pen or I pick up a cup, I ... shake," he says. Not able to attend school, he says he hopes to receive tutoring soon. Ron Sutliff is a motorcycle enthusiast who looks forward to the fund-raising event. "I get the thrill of raising money for a really good cause, I just love riding, and I get to meet all my friends," says the Medford resident and member of Harley Owners Group. The event, which entails picking up a card for a poker hand at designated stops, ends at D&S after 4 p.m. with prizes, raffle items and an auction. "Whoever has the highest hand will get their pick of things on the giveaway table," says Kim Martin, D&S owner. "It's not just Harley riders," says Martin. From Kawasakis to automobiles, all road vehicles are welcome, she says, adding that the organizers still need sponsors, donations and participants. For more information, contact D&S Harley-Davidson at 535-5515. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.