Area residents are looking to cruise past cancer Saturday.

In conjunction with the Halfway to January Cancer Bash, the fourth annual Cruise for a Cure motorcycle ride departs at 11 a.m. from the Lyle American Legion, 112 Grove St. in Lyle. Registration starts at 9 a.m.

The roughly 130-mile ride stops at Sweet’s Hotel in LeRoy, On the Crunchy Side in Harmony, the Servicemen’s Club in Preston, Johnny Ringo’s in Spring Valley, and The Creek Bar & Grill in Rose Creek before returning to the Lyle Legion for the Halfway to January Cancer Bash at around 4 p.m.

The ride is $15 per person and proceeds go to the Lyle Area Cancer Auction.

Dwight DeBoer, who organizes the ride with his wife, Melody, is hoping for 50 people after poor weather hurt turnout last year.

The ride raised $650 last year, $1,200 the year before and $500 the year before that.

Dwight described it as a good way for motorcyclists to get together while supporting a good cause.

“Everybody’s been affected by cancer,” he said.

The 2012 bash raised more than $6,400.

Family looking to fight cancer

An Adams area family is putting the squeeze on cancer Friday and Saturday.

Emily and Dean Kiefer are holding the first Squeeze Out Cancer during Adams Dairy Days from 9 a.m. to noon Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at their home at 106 Bergen St. in Adams.

Emily and Dean are holding the event as a way to help teach their 10 grandchildren about giving. Emily, Dean and their grandchildren will give out fresh squeezed lemonade and Hy-Vee cookies for freewill donations, which will be given to the Lyle Area Cancer Auction.

“We’re trying to do everything we can to end that nasty disease,” Emily said.

While some of the grandchildren are too young to help out this year, Emily hopes the event becomes a family tradition for many years.

Emily and Dean attend the Lyle Area Cancer Auction each year and have many family members who’ve had cancer.

About $150 has already been donated to the event, and Emily is hopeful they’ll raise a lot more, as she’s expecting a good turnout this weekend and could extend the event if they’re busy.

“I think we’re going to have an excellent turnout,” she said.

Dean’s Auto Body is sponsoring the event.