Motorcycle mamas help rethink breast cancer

Some of Toronto's most celebrated women will be ‘biker chic’ on Tuesday when Harley-Davidson Canada hosts its second annual Precious Metal Gala, a revved up night of female-friendly motorcycle culture to benefit Rethink Breast Cancer.

This isn’t your average girls night out, but then again a Harley isn’t your average motorcycle. The name alone conjures up iconic images. But you’d be surprised to learn about today’s Harley-Davidson rider. Over 13 percent of sales in Canada are to women. These are professional women and empty nesters, women who perhaps have spent years on the back of a motorcycle and who now want the thrill of road to themselves, says Alex Carroni, of Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada, one of the organizers.

That desire for adventure and escape is one that resonates with women battling breast cancer, says Carroni, whose own grandmother had the disease. “While they may have strong moments of insecurity, on the bike they can re-invent themselves: she’s wearing her leathers, feeling confidence and empowerment.”

Suzanne Chevalier will be there on Tuesday. The Harley-Davidson employee is a breast cancer survivor. She was only 30 when she discovered a lump in her breast. After some inconclusive tests, and with no family history of breast cancer, she forgot about it. “I was moving to Toronto from Montreal; I had a new job and a new boyfriend.” For five years she was too busy to notice that the lump was still there. Until one day in December 2003.

Since then, she’s gone through a lumpectomy, had chemo and radiation therapy - AND celebrated more than 5 years of remission. “From the moment I stopped my treatment, I started fundraising for breast cancer,” says Chevalier, who’s also an event volunteer.

Women who will walk the 'pink' carpet include the evening’s emcee, Virgin Radio morning host Billie Holiday, Karen Davidson, great-granddaughter of Harley-Davidson co-founder William A. Davidson, Canadian Idol judge and singer Sass Jordan, and Degrassi: The Next Generation cast members
Lauren Collins and Paula Brancati.

Once inside, party-goers can get glammed up at a hair-and-make-up station for a photo shoot on a brand new Harley, browse through the new Harley-Davidson Pink Label collection – with partial proceeds going to support breast cancer - and get a lesson on how even the smallest of women can lift a motorcycle.

The Precious Metal Gala wraps up Harley-Davidson's Garage Party series of retail events aimed at introducing motorcycling to women. It takes place Tuesday, May 11th at the Fermenting Cellar in the city’s historic Distillery District. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are available to the public for $75, with a goal of re-raising last year’s total of $15,000 for Rethink Breast Cancer, a volunteer-based organization that is primarily focused on supporting young women who are affected by breast cancer.

http://www.garageparty.ca.
http://www.harley-davidson.com.
http://www.rethinkbreastcancer.com.