Registration for the 5th Annual Trussville Witches Ride is Now Open
October 19, 2024 @ 5:00 pm
Witchy Women Riding for Margaux Moore Will Take Flight on October 19
Trussville, AL – August 29, 2024 – Trussville Witches Ride, Inc., a nonprofit whose mission is “witchy women riding for a local cause,” is preparing for this year’s ride through the historic Cahaba Homestead to take place on October 19 at 5 PM. Registration for the ride is now available, and all witchy women are invited to participate in support of the ride’s beneficiary, Margaux Moore.
Margaux is a 7-year-old Trussville resident who attends Paine Elementary. Margaux battles Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), which is a disorder affecting the motor neurons – nerve cells that control voluntary muscular movement. These cells are in the spinal cord, and because the muscles cannot respond to signals from the nerves, they atrophy – weaken and shrink – from inactivity. Margaux’s family is in desperate need of a handicap-accessible vehicle. New handicap-accessible vehicles cost around $70K – a cost that the family cannot afford on top of Margaux’s medical bills, medications, assistive devices, personal care nurses, and much more.
According to Big Pharma, the low estimated cost of treating SMA is approximately $50,000 a year for basic medications, therapy, and supplies. It can exceed over $2M if advanced treatments like Zolgensma are used, which the family did utilize in 2018, costing them $2.3M for one gene therapy treatment.
Margaux’s family currently has to lift her in/out of their van and load/unload her wheelchair every time that they go somewhere. Not only is this physically draining, it’s also potentially dangerous.
“We are excited to announce that registration for the Trussville Witches Ride is now open,” said Karli Langner, President of the Trussville Witches Ride Board. “We invite the incredible women of the Trussville community to join us in honoring Margaux Moore and helping to raise the funds necessary to purchase a handicap-accessible vehicle. The astronomical amount of money that the family spends on Margaux’s treatments, medical expenses, and assistive devices is
mind-blowing. I encourage all who can to participate in alleviating the financial burden of purchasing a new vehicle for this sweet, deserving family.”
Online registration is open until October 18 at 5 PM for $35. Late registration will be available the day of the event for $45. Witches participating in the ride must be 14 years or older and must sign a waiver. Any witch who is under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian sign the waiver on their behalf.
A bicycle or low-speed vehicle is required to participate in the ride; there will be no walking allowed. Per the Trussville Police Department and Public Safety, all low-speed vehicles must have a tag and VIN number issued by the DMV, mirrors, and blinkers.
Check-In will take place at Cahaba Elementary School at 4 PM. All who register and pay to ride will be given a wristband. After Check-In, witches will line up for judging and then will take flight at 5 PM through the historic Cahaba Homestead and will end up at Ferus Artisan Ales at 5:30 PM for a 70’s-themed “Bell Bottoms and Broomsticks” After Party featuring the Sean Mac Trio. The route for the ride can be found here.
“Trussville is flying for the most deserving family this year, and I truly believe that that is the beauty of this event; it provides support for local families, bringing our community together,” said Shawna Masters, Vice President of the Trussville Witches Ride Board. “There is something for everyone – from the ride to the parade, to the After Party – everyone can participate in some way. There will be opportunities to make donations to the Moore family for those who do not actually ride but still want to contribute to purchasing a handicap-accessible van for Margaux.”
Sponsorships for the event are available and will close on September 27. Businesses that would like to sponsor the event can secure their sponsorship through this form, or email trussvillewitchesride@gmail.com for more information.
Registration for the Trussville Witches Ride can be found here, and an FAQ document for those interested in participating can be found here.
To keep up with what the Trussville Witches Ride Board is brewing up for this year’s event, be sure to follow on Facebook and Instagram.