BEDFORD – The 10th annual Dumon McCain Memorial Ride is fast approaching, coming up this Saturday, June 10.
The Dumon McCain Memorial Ride is a yearly event to honor the memory and legacy of Dumon McCain, who sadly passed away in 2013 after battling cancer. It also serves as a way to help support other families who are battling cancer, with a new recipient each year.
This year’s recipient is 23-year-old Sydney Sowder.
Sowder, of Bedford, was diagnosed in July of 2022 with High Risk B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She has been going through a harsh chemo treatment at Riley Children’s Hospital. She is also being treated for neuropathy, a side effect of the chemo, which destroys the nerves in her hands and feet.
She has completed a phase of her treatment plan, which required 24-hour high dose chemo infusion. Her next phase of treatment will consist of another round of harsh chemo and lumbar punctures for 2 months and her next phase will consist of chemo pills for 1 1/2 -2 years with occasional Vincristine doses.
Sydney is a 2018 graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School. She was in the same grade as McCain and attended middle school with him. She is engaged to Mason Brasher of Bedford. Sowder was employed as a hairstylist before her diagnosis but has had to stop working due to treatments. She dreams of one day traveling and experiencing the world.
Listen to the full Talk of The Town interview below:
