St. Jude Benefit Ride Pays Off

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MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – After beating a rare form of brain cancer, a local teen is helping the hospital that helped him. Jon Michael Northington and his dad are Harley enthusiasts. They recently rode their hogs all the way Sturgis, South Dakota. With each passing mile, they raised money for St. Jude’s.

John Northington, Jon Michael’s dad say, “He never wiped that smile off his face the whole time we were gone. If you ever go out west it’s a different world.”

Jon-Michael and his dad pointed their Harleys toward Sturgis, South Dakota then set out on a mission to raise money for Saint Jude’s. Last year Jon Michael was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a very rare brain cancer. Thanks to Saint Jude’s his cancer is in remission. The teen and his father knew they had to give something back.

Cancer survivor Jon-Michael says, “It rained a little bit. I didn’t rain that bad. It was pretty clear the whole way but it was a pretty long ride.”

Three days and 1500 miles later, the pair rumbled into Sturgis. Thanks to the support of family, friends and even strangers, Jon Michael and his dad raised thousands of dollars for St. Jude’s, along the way.

Jon-Michael says, “We actually raised $16,260. We even had somebody from Japan send us a check. It was amazing all of the supporters we had.”

Giving back is nothing new to the Northingtons. Mr. Northington has done everything from starting a toy ride to benefit The Eldridge Children’s Home to repairing a building used for community meetings. It’s a tradition of giving that he hopes his son will continue.

Northington says, “Great trip, something we’ve always planned on doing but to do that with my son it was awesome.”

In three months Jon-Michael goes for a check-up. His family hopes for the best.

According to his doctor the cancer is in remission.

There is another benefit ride planned for next year. The duo is hoping to make the donations an annual event.