The Closer to Free Ride is a day filled with celebration, hugs, cheers and even tears. And through it all are the ride day volunteers who make everything run smoothly, people like Jane Butterworth.

“It’s just wonderful to be a part of it,” Butterworth said. “It does give you that special feeling inside that you did contribute just that little bit to make the ride successful for everybody.”

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Butterworth started volunteering with the Closer to Free Ride in 2017. Her husband, Ken, was a survivor of esophageal cancer, and they attended a survivor support event at Smilow Cancer Hospital.

“We just got to talking to the different tables and stuff that were there, and we decided to volunteer at that event,” she said.

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