Stockertown couple who faced cystic fibrosis scare organize motorcycle race for research

Pregnancy is supposed to be a joyous time, but for Derek and Dara Eckert, it included many harrowing weeks.

During the Stockertown couple’s 18-week ultrasound, a growth on their son’s neck called a cystic hygroma was found. It’s a common sign for Down syndrome.

A screening test at 20 weeks ruled out Down syndrome but revealed another concern: cystic fibrosis.

The test revealed that Derek and Dara — neither of whom has cystic fibrosis — had passed the disease’s gene onto their son. He had a 25 percent chance of having the disease, which causes serious respiratory and digestive problems.

The Eckerts had never heard of the disease and they jumped headfirst into researching it. What they found out upset them.

“We learned there was no cure for it — and that he may die before we did,” Dara Eckert said.

Eight weeks later, the Eckerts did another round of tests and this time received good news: there was a less than 1 percent chance that their son would have cystic fibrosis. Wyatt Chase Eckert was born March 9, healthy and free of cystic fibrosis.

But the Eckerts didn’t forget about their scare or the disease. Though they’re still sleep-deprived from caring for a 7-week-old, they’ve organized a motorcycle race in Lower Saucon Township on Sunday to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“We don’t want any other family to go through what we went through,” Dara Eckert said. “We’re hoping to raise money to find a cure.”

The Eckerts originally thought to hold a fundraising walk, but after discussing the ideas with friends at the Bushkill Valley Motorcycle Club, their thoughts turned to a motorcycle event. Friend Tim Varga, of Northampton, suggested Sunday’s motorcycle race.

“Tim said, ‘Walk? We don’t walk anywhere — we ride,'” Dara Eckert said. “We all ride, so this is more suiting for our family.

“The motorcycle club is our family — they have really rallied around us during this whole thing,” she said.

The Eckerts even got married at the club’s annual Freemansburg Motorcycle Hill Climb last year. Sunday’s motorcycle race will be Wyatt’s first event at the club, which owns 70 acres off Riverside Drive in Lower Saucon Township.

Sunday’s event — Endure for a Cure, which will start about 11 a.m. — combines motocross, hare-scramble, enduro- and woods-racing disciplines, Varga said. It’ll be the first motocross race at the club in more than 25 years and with the other riding elements included, it’s especially unique, Varga said.

“We put together what I think is the most unique event going in the country,” he said.

It’s $40 to race and $5 to watch, with all the proceeds going to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Geaker’s Tacos, of Bethlehem Township, also will be at the event and is donating 20 percent of its sales to the foundation, Varga said.

 

Endure for a Cure

 

Riders take off at the start of a race as The Bushkill Valley Motorcycle Club holds the 'Endure for a Cure' charity race, combining motocross, hare-scramble, enduro and woods racing in one course in Steelcity on Sunday. All proceeds will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.