By Jean Schlegel
Valley City Times-Record

A former Valley City woman, Dianne Heckman, has expressed her gratitude and amazement at what a local motorcycle club (and others) did to help support her brother, and she wants the community to know about it.
On  May 24, the Dakota Riders Motorcycle Club held a benefit at The Lodge and Peanut Bar in Valley City for her brother, Greg Heckman. Greg was hospitalized for 12 weeks with complications from Sepsis, following a routine surgery. During his long stay in the ICU unit at MedCenterOne in Bismarck, Greg’s friends and extended biker family from across the state and beyond visited the hospital. They provided the Heckman family with endless support and comfort while inspiring Greg’s will to live. Greg miraculously survived multiple organ failure and is recovering at his home in Mandan.
The DRMC’s inspiring dedication to their member of 25 years transformed their compassion into action, according to Dianne. They started a benefit account and planned fundraising activities to help Greg with the costs incurred from his extended hospital stay and continuing recovery.
“I am so grateful for the DRMC’s outstanding efforts to help my brother. What they accomplished is amazing! I was so touched by their being with us at the hospital day and night during the scariest moments of the roller coaster ride,” Dianne said.
She added that she is even more touched by the DRMC’s ability to organize such a successful benefit.

For full story, see Thursday's edition of the Valley City Times-Record.