They came from Fairburn and South Fulton, from Butts and Henry counties, from Atlanta, McDonough and Griffin and from Douglasville, Conyers and Marietta. They are members of the Blaze-N-Blood Motorcycle Club. And they came for Amanda Dodson.

In total, 40 motorcycles and 53 riders left Fairburn's Fire Station #21 at 2 p.m. Sunday on a 60-mile ride for a benefit fundraiser for Dodson, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer and has exhausted her paid leave time with Delta Air Lines. In its wake, the Blaze-N-Blood Motorcycle Club raised $3,434 during the event along with $700 from Fairburn First Christian Church, $600 from Delta Air Lines and additional funds pledged from other sources.

"I'm overwhelmed with the turnout and the response. I'm just overwhelmed," Amanda said after the ride. "I want to thank the Fairburn police and fire departments and Fulton County and everyone in the motorcycle club."

The benefit ride began at Fire Station #21 and made its way down Roosevelt Highway to the Ga. Highway 34 bypass in Newnan, onto Ga. Highway 70 to South Fulton Parkway. Riders continued along Ga. Highway 166 then onto Ga. Highway 92 and