Waller Bike Ride will raise funds for Baine family

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For the past 11 years, the Waller family has opened their driveway at 30525 Longhorn Dr. to a large crowd for an annual 4th of July breakfast and bike ride through Canyon Lake, generating thousands of dollars for families in need. This year’s breakfast and ride will take place on July 4, as usual, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Last year, funds were raised for the family of 15-year-old Sam Siroky, who died from injuries sustained in a bicycling accident and whose organs were donated for transplant.

This year, according organizer Ron Almada, the hope is to raise money and awareness for Canyon Lake resident Danny Baine and his family.

Danny has Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a chronic, progressive and devastating autoimmune disease of the bile ducts that often leads to liver failure and the need for a transplant. Danny was diagnosed in 2009 and is currently on a waiting list to receive a new liver. As a result, Danny cannot perform his job as an engineer for Amtrak, which has left a huge burden on the family of five.

Tomorrow, the Waller Family Bike Ride will help raise immediate funds for the family’s day-to-day living expenses via a raffle of items donated by the community. It also hopes to raise awareness of the need for donors at the www.gofundme.com site, “Baine Family Fundraiser #PSC Aware.”

Another fundraising event tentatively is scheduled for August 1. For more information, call Ron at 951-283-3800.