By Lulu

Having been blessed so far in this life with healthy children and grandchildren, I can not even begin to understand the loss and suffering a parent that loses a child must live with. Eli was a child diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2007. Eli fought bravely without complaint and left this life in 2011. Eli’s name is in the word ‘bELIeve.’ He believed in a cure for leukemia. Eli’s father, Paul Matthews had to face the loss of his beautiful child and has made his life a fight in Eli’s name to find a cure so other families will not have this heartache to face. Eli was a hero in his hometown of Oxford, PA. Motorcycle runs and charity events started, and have spread throughout the country in Eli’s name. Donna and John Burress hosted the first Eli’s Run for the Cure in Sanford and invited Paul to attend the event, and he accepted. I know they personally put tons of time and lots of their personal money into making this a great event. We met at Seminole H-D, jumped on our bikes, and headed to Foxhead Lounge in Osteen, The Alibi in Geneva, Shovelhead Lounge in Longwood, Mel’s Family Diner in Sanford and ended at Rhonda’s Neighborhood Bar in Sanford. Lots of raffle prizes, including a huge Christmas tree made of lottery tickets helped fill the kitty for Eli. Rhonda brought in a great band, Jette County Dragsters, who kept the party going way into the night. The plan is for this to be a yearly event so please help this sweet father continue to honor his son’s memory by continuing Eli’s fight for a CURE and ride with us next year!