How Breathe Free came to be…

 

Established in 2014, Breathe Free Ride Hard is a charity organization run and owned by Michele Alves and Teresa Ross. Our organization raises awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

 

Michele and Teresa were approached by mutual friends, Mike and Jean Clarke. Teresa had just finished up with a benefit for a friend at the pub Mike was at the time managing. He wanted to do a motorcycle ride to benefit something not a lot of people did anything for, Jean called in Michele with her knowledge and success already with CF awareness. Neither of the ladies knew much about motorcycles and the motorcycle community, they needed to enlist the help of some wonderful people.

 

In 2018, Breathe Free became incorporated and officially became a 501C-3 non-profit organization.

 

Breathe Free Ride Hard is, to our knowledge, the only motorcycle charity organized and run solely by women in Western MA. We take great pride in this and our accomplishments, but would be remiss if we didn’t mention that we have so many great men and women on our team of volunteers that help us on so many levels and make our jobs easier. It is because of their dedication to our cause that we are so successful today.

 

The mission of Breathe Free Ride Hard is simple: To raise awareness about Cystic Fibrosis and much needed funds for research and drug development, promoting individualized treatment and ensuring access to high quality specialized care for all Cystic Fibrosis patients until a cure is found.

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Michele’s Story …

I have been involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for over 20 years. In 1992 my cousin Andrew was born and was diagnosed with CF. It was a blow to the family. A couple years later Andrews brother Jason was born and again, with CF. The family rallied together to do what we could to find a cure for these boys. We got involved with Great Strides, CF Foundations annual walk event. My cousins hosted our local event and still do to this day. Over the years I’ve seen what this disease has done to these boys and the many other people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting along the way. I participated in this walk event (and continue to this day) for many years raising as much money as I could but I always felt inside that I could be doing so much more…. but what, how?

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In 2014, a close friend, who also had ties to someone with CF, came to me with an idea for a fundraiser. She knew how deeply my involvement was in the search for a cure for CF was to me. I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Since she and her husband managed a club and loved motorcycles, it was a no brainer that a motorcycle run would be created. I knew I needed to do this to help Andrew and Jason and all those with CF. I, knowing absolutely nothing about motorcycles, needed to enlist help!! It didn’t take long before a team was formed to create this event. Thus, Breathe Free Ride Hard was established. My passion for helping the CF Foundation in its mission to find a cure is as strong today, if not stronger, than it ever has been. A few short years ago, in July of 2016, my cousin Andrew passed away at the very young age of 23 from CF complications. Leaving the entire family devastated. Jason received a double lung transplant at the young age of 17. It helped but definitely not a cure. Jason, now 22 yrs. old, still continues to struggle with CF every single day. I have met many wonderful people in the CF community through this journey with BFRH. Sadly, not all of them are still with us. To those who are still with us and fighting every day for every single breathe…. We are on the ride for a cure and won’t stop until CF stands for Cure Found.

 

Teresa’s Story….

In 2014, I had just finished up helping with a benefit for a friend’s grandson who was diagnosed with cancer and the family needed help. That event was such a success, Mike Clarke, then manager of Cabot Pub where the benefit was held, asked if I would help organize a motorcycle ride. I knew I loved motorcycles but knew nothing about how to put a ride together. Mike knew he wanted to do something that not a lot of people raise funds and awareness for, his wife Jean mentioned Michele and cystic fibrosis. I didn’t know anything about CF but I was totoally on board with helping this cause.

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After meeting with Michele and learning about the disease, I knew this was going to be a great event for a great cause. Since the beginning, I have met some amazing people throughout the years. I have also learned a lot about CF and the daily struggle families go through with this disease. Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. With the help of some amazing people, that have knowledge of the motorcycle community, we have made BFRH a success. We are on the ride for a cure, and someday, we hope CF will stand for Cure Found.