TRAVERSE CITY (June 4, 2008): Area motorcyclists are invited to take part in a 90-mile ride through scenic Leelanau County on Saturday, June 21 featuring the pleasure of beautiful countryside, the fun of a poker run, and the satisfaction of supporting a lifesaving cause: proceeds from the event will help Michigan Community Blood Centers, the nonprofit blood provider for local hospitals, purchase needed equipment.

The “Bikers Out For Blood” motorcycle tour and fundraiser sponsored by KLT 97.5-98.9 THE ROCK STATION and Performance Customs will take off at Noon from Performance Customs, 2801 N-US31-S, Traverse City. With KLT’s Omelette & Finster leading the ride, the group will arrive back at Performance Customs at approximately 4 p.m. Adding interest and fun along the way, the ride will include several poker run stops. An after-ride party will feature food, entertainment, raffles, and awards.

Bikers Out For Blood registration costs just $20 per rider and the first 50 riders to pre-register will receive goody bags. Registration forms are available at Performance Customs; on line at WKLT.com, or www.miblood.org, or www.bikersoutforblood.org; or by calling 616-233-8600. On the day of the event, participants can vote for their favorite motorcycle from 10 a.m. to Noon, when the ride starts.

Proceeds from Bikers Out For Blood will go toward the purchase of a new generator, which the Blood Center needs to ensure an uninterrupted power supply for blood testing and storage equipment in case of emergency power failure.

A nonprofit blood bank, Michigan Community Blood Centers in Northwest Michigan collects blood in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, and Osceola counties to provide 100 percent of the regular blood supply for hospitals in those counties, including all Munson Health System facilities, West Shore Medical Center in Manistee, and Spectrum Health-Reed City Campus. Across the state, Michigan Community Blood Centers is the sole provider of blood for hospitals in four major regions with a combined population of more than 1.5 million.

© Michigan Community Blood Centers