Red Knights support Baby Joe Mesi's Organ Donation foundation
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

Members of the Red Knights will sponsor the second annual Dice Run for Baby Joe Mesi and his Organ Donation Foundation Sunday, Aug. 27 in Marilla.

Motorcyclists will rev up their engines during the "Fight for Organ Donation" benefit Sunday, Aug. 27.

The Red Knights will hold its second annual Dice Run for Baby Joe Mesi beginning at 10 a.m. at the Marilla VFC, 1950 West Ave., Marilla.

The firefighter group, Red Knights Motorcycle Club in Erie County, formed in 2004, and it got involved with the Dice Run last year with its first annual event.

"It's a day for everyone," said club President Dan Lelito. "This is a quest to support Joe's foundation."

According to the Fight for Organ Donation Web site, Mesi, the 32-year-old heavyweight boxer, was inspired to create the foundation several years ago when his cousin, Genelle Shanor, was in need of a kidney transplant. The long, arduous road his cousin followed led Mesi to dedicate a fight in Niagara Falls for her, as he spoke out for her need for a kidney.

A donor was found soon after the fight; however, complications unrelated to the transplant surgery sent her back to the list for another transplant, according to the Web site.

The Red Knights had no knowledge the foundation existed until Tom Mesi, Joe Mesi's brother, mentioned it at work. Ed Hughes, co-chair of the event, works with Tom Mesi and suggested supporting the cause during a Red Knights' meeting. The group of approximately 120 firefighters voted unanimously to support the heavyweight boxer's quest for organ donation awareness.

The Red Knights hold one run each year - The Baby Joe Mesi Dice Run. "We try to do one and do it right," Lelito said.

Mesi will be the host of the event and may even ride this year. He said he will be there to meet people, sign autographs, support and raise money for the foundation.

"We are very impressed with his accessibility," Lelito added.

To be in the club, members must be an active or exempt volunteer firefighter or a current or retired career firefighter with a valid motorcycle license and access to a motorcycle.

The purpose of the organization is to promote fire services and provide social events such as motorcycle group rides and trips.

One of the main functions of the club is to organize events to raise money for organizations such as the Burn Treatment Center and Mercy Flight. In the upcoming event's case, the purpose is organ donation.

All proceeds of Sunday's run will go to the foundation. Bob

"Ice" Eiskant is chair of the event, and Dennis Robinson is also a cochair.

The cost to participate in the run will be $10 per person, and registration is from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be live music by Silver Xtreme, 50/50 raffles and more than 25 vendors.

To learn more about the fund-raiser, visit the Web site www. babyjoemesi. com.

To join the Red Knights, visit www. redknightsny21. org.