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Bikers raise more than expected for retired teacher

ALPENA, Mich. — Bikers from across the region pulled together Saturday to help an Ossineke woman raise money for a kidney transplant.

Retired Pied Piper teacher Julie Hanner was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney failure in 2017.

She’s been on dialysis since then, but what she really needs is a transplant. That’s why the Agent Orange Riders, Combat Veterans Motorcylce Association, and even average bikers came to the Alpena WFW for a dice run fundraiser.

More than 60 people in total gave money through donations, registration fees, and merchandise.

Hanner said she’s stunned so many people came out to help her.

“It’s amazing! I just- I can’t believe it. I just thought nobody would come out. But this is just great.”

However, funding isn’t the only thing Hanner needs. She also has to find a donor who matches her blood type: B Postive.

Although it’s one of the rarer blood types in the US, Hanner remains hopeful that someone will be her donor.

Organizers told WBKB Hanner doesn’t want to disclose the total raised, but it was more than she hoped and expected.