When Charley (Butch) and Mary Rogers of Annapolis lost their daughter Marybeth to endometrial cancer they looked for ways to keep her memory alive.
“Losing our daughter was a huge shock and came out of nowhere. We could have written a check to the Cancer Society and moved on, but we wanted to do something in our daughter’s memory to aid cancer research,” Charley Rogers says. “However, at 81, I knew that my options were limited.”
“Living in Annapolis brings forth so many opportunities to enjoy the environment, something Marybeth cared very much about, so I thought why not figure out a way to take advantage of the wonderful Bay area to raise funds for cancer research?”
Rogers, a retired civilian employee of the U.S. Navy, had spent 32 years at the Washington Navy Yard. As an alumnus of Georgetown University, Rogers had read about the university’s BellRinger program which raises funds for cancer research for the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. BellRinger participants cycle long distances and solicit sponsors who pledge to donate an amount of money on a per-mile basis.
“I always enjoyed biking but only rode occasionally. So, after consulting with my wife, we concluded that I’d really have to get in shape to participate in a long-distance bike ride and seek sponsors to contribute funds for cancer research.” Rogers figured it was worth a shot.
It took him almost two years to train for his first Lombardi Cancer Foundation BellRinger fundraiser. He rode almost daily to build his stamina on the B & A Trail outside Annapolis, on the Naval Academy grounds, on Old Colony Road near Round Bay on the Severn River, and throughout the streets and hills of the historic district in the city. Each mile of training and cycling he dedicated to Marybeth’s honor.
Rogers sprang for a new bike with all the “bells and whistles” as he prepared for his first bike-a-thon which covered a grueling 50 miles from Georgetown University in northwest D.C to Urbana, Maryland. “I could not have done it without the help of the experienced riders that made up Team Marybeth—my other daughters Cathleen and Megan, nephew Joe Klausner, and two retired Naval officers from Annapolis, Jeff Harbeson and Emil Petruncio.”
Rogers’ perseverance paid off as he and his Team Marybeth riders raised over $13,000 for cancer research. “After completing the 50-miler, I was psyched up and thus have set my sights on participating in other BellRinger events to raise funds to battle cancer in my daughter’s memory this fall.”
If you would like to help Charley (Butch) Rogers, you can sign up as a sponsor at https://ride.bellringer.org/rider/butchrogers348.
